Not Here to Make Friends

A sizzling frenemies-to-lovers rom-com

By: Jodi McAlister

Narrated by: Matty Morris, Aileen Huynh

She’s the reality TV villain everyone will love to hate. He’s the producer tasked with making it happen. What could go wrong? A hilarious, heartfelt rom-com for fans of The Unhoneymooners.

‘A full-on villain romance, with all the lying, scheming and blazingly tumultuous sex you could hope for.’ New York Times

Reality TV producer Murray O’Connell is the showrunner for reality dating show Marry Me, Juliet, and that means he’s the boss: he controls the cast, the crew and the story. Until Lily Fireball turns up.

Lily is everything viewers love to watch: she’s feisty, dramatic, and never backs down from a fight. Her villain narrative should be easy to pull off, but Murray keeps getting in her way. Because before she was Lily Fireball, she was Lily Ong – Murray's best friend, and he's determined to stop her blowing up her life on television.

As the season unfolds, Lily and Murray go head to head. Lily just wants to have some fun with her role, and Murray just wants to film the show he planned. Why won't she listen to him? And why can't Murray focus on the job, instead of the woman he thought was just a friend?

‘The best friends to lovers book I've read in a long while, maybe ever … A perfect finale to the bingeworthy Marry Me, Juliet series.’ Karina May, author of Duck à l'Orange for Breakfast and Never Ever Forever

Critic reviews

‘A full-on villain romance, with all the lying, scheming and blazingly tumultuous sex you could hope for.’

'If you've devoured the first two books of the bingeworthy Marry Me, Juliet series then you will love this last installment focusing on Lily and Murray - two perfectly imperfect characters and the tension that sizzles when they are together. This is a great friends to lovers read for all rom-com (and reality TV) lovers!' (Saman Shad, author of The Matchmaker)

'Not Here To Make Friends is a prose ceremony – at which I was glad to accept every page. A superb third episode in a journey with drama more vivid and romance more compelling than anything you’ll see on TV.' (Xavier Rubetzki Noonan, Bachelor of Hearts Podcast)

‘Not Here To Make Friends is a second chance romance between two formidably matched evil masterminds, a clash of fierce intellects that results in fierce tension and fierce love. The chemistry is sizzling, the banter is blazing and even if you think you know where this story's going, the climax is combustible. But lest you think this romance is all head and no heart, it's undershot with themes of loyalty, friendship and grief.’ (Clare Fletcher, author of Five Bush Weddings)

‘Not Here to Make Friends is wonderfully funny, deeply moving, and whip-smart. Lily and Murray’s sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes hilarious love story is so irresistible it will have you turning the page faster than a reality TV romance breaks up in real life. Rich with diversity and characters you genuinely care about, Not Here to Make Friends is a satisfying, pitch-perfect cherry on top of a perfect series.’ (Amy Hutton, author of Sit, Stay, Love)

‘The best friends to lovers book I've read in a long while, maybe ever. Lily Fireball and Murray's complex dynamic is so addictive. The book doesn't shy away from serious issues either and effortlessly explores racial inequality via a fun plot. A perfect finale to the bingeworthy Marry Me, Juliet series. This one is my favourite of all three books. Swoon-worthy, clever and a must-read. I can't wait to see what McAlister writes next!’ (Karina May, author of Duck à l'Orange for Breakfast)

‘I'd been waiting impatiently for the third installment in this series, and it was even more amazing than I'd hoped. Ruthless schemers! Romantic pairings who are equal parts soulmates and partners in crime! Lily and Murray's story was utterly perfect for me, specifically, and I suspect plenty of readers will agree. Smart, scorching and emotionally resonant, this was hands-down my favourite romance of the year.’ (Freya Marske, author of A Marvellous Light)

'This book proves, in case you weren’t already convinced, that McAlister is a storytelling genius ... My heart exploded with joy reading this ... This was a perfect finale to a brilliant series.' (Jaclyn Crupi)

Don't get it

I really don't understand all the 5-star reviews. The storyline was interesting and gave insight onto 'reality' TV, but that was about it. The male narrator was good, but the female narrator was awful.

Loved the Narrators

It was entertaining! Story line was a little confusing to me but overall I had a good time listening!

Totally contrived

Really disliked Murray as a character. Lilly was slightly more tolerable but still contrived. Further, if you’re not into reality TV, the story is terrible. Not at Al sure why i finished It.