The Friend Zone reads like it was published decades ago. There are so many frankly toxic traits promoted, not to mention weird prejudices against… education? I honestly don’t get it.
I am team Tyler 100%. He is an educated, worldly man who speaks multiple languages, enjoys experiencing different cultures and cuisines, knows what he wants out of life, and is dedicated and loyal to his career and his partner. So how the fuck is he the bad guy in this book? Because he refuses to comply with an ultimatum? Because he trusts his partner? Because he leaves a voicemail with important information when he can’t get ahold of someone? Because he’s considerate and asks someone if they want to change before they leave the house? Because he wants to have an adult conversation about a long-term relationship that ended suddenly? Nope, you’re right; he’s the bad guy here.
Kristen and her ‘not like the other girls’ attitude was so disgusting. Not to mention how proud she is of herself for remaining loyal to her long-distance boyfriend while talking about how she basically forgets about him when he’s not around, is reminded of how much she loves him when he’s around to fuck, and then forgets about him again when he leaves. But, of course, a voicemail about career decisions is as good as a breakup so she can jump right into bed with someone else. You know, the someone else she’s spent all her time with while her boyfriend is away trusting her.
I’m sorry, is Kristen supposedly better than everyone else around her because she likes sex and banter, or is she a terrible person who doesn’t deserve love because she’s choosing a medical procedure to stop the debilitating and chronic pain she experiences? Somehow Kristen is simultaneously so disgustingly full of herself for the most superficial things and has so little self-value that she thinks an inability to have children means she’s not a woman. I’m unsure which half of that is worse because they’re both terrible.