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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
Thank you to NetGalley, Celadon Books & Marisa Kanter for the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
The fact that this title has NOTHING to do with spice and EVERYTHING to do with what's messed up about American Healthcare really irks me, okay!? With that said- BRILLIANT TITLE.
Evelyn and Theo's long history is told so well in this through dual POV and flashback chapters. My heart was breaking with the miscommunication they struggled through in the flashbacks (as per usual while our MCs are so young!) I loved how intertwined into Theo's family Evelyn was and loved watching them survive though US economy issues as a team. I found Evelyn's career to be so interesting- I love learning about niche jobs in books!
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon books for the advanced reader copy.
Friends with Benefits had potential, but it didn’t quite hit the mark for me. I really wanted to love this one—especially with the premise promising a nostalgic friends-to-lovers arc—but it took a while for the story to get going. I almost DNFed multiple times before the 30% mark, but it does pick up after that.
Friends with Benefits had potential, but it didn’t quite hit the mark for me. I really wanted to love this one—especially with the premise promising a nostalgic friends-to-lovers arc—but it took a while for the story to get going. I almost DNFed multiple times before the 30% mark, but it does pick up after that.
The disability rep felt really forced, as if it was included just to check a box rather than being meaningfully woven into the story. Similarly, the numerous LA landmarks and tie-ins, rather than adding atmosphere, often pulled me out of the narrative. It felt like the book was trying to follow an Emily Henry-style formula, but it lacked the emotional spark and depth that makes her stories so compelling.
That said, I loved the flashbacks of the characters as kids and teens. They added genuine warmth and helped build their love story in a believable, heartfelt way. I just wish the ending had been drawn out more—the HEA felt rushed, more like an epilogue than a fully satisfying conclusion.
Overall, a decent read with some sweet moments, but not one that fully delivered on its promise.
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I got an ARC of this book from NetGalley! I enjoyed this a lot. I really like the best friend trope, because it feels like it would be the best case scenario. Theo and Evie’s relationship spans decades and is so beautifully developed. I loved the inclusion of the medical stuff. It was so real and relatable. The family trauma was so deep and beautiful and heartbreaking. The two main characters found each other in the outlet they had away from pain. The loss of that and the way they found other joys was really poignant and lovely. I liked the evolution of their friendship and relationship and that continued through the story. And I also liked the way they were imperfect in a relatable way; when you’re mad and you say or do things you don’t mean to, regrets you hold onto for years, the emotional manipulations you endure for people you love without really realizing it, and the way you can hold onto the “truths” you know, whether they’re still true or not. Overall I very much enjoyed this book and will recommend it widely!
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
As the title suggests, this is a friends to lovers story between Evie and Theo. They help each other with a marriage of convenience for health care for Evie and be a spouse for Theo to keep his rent control lease.
At the surface, this is a love story about missed chances but there's so much more. I appreciate Kanter addressing issues with our healthcare system, the frustration of not being properly diagnosed, grief and anger over death of a parent.
Evie and Theo's journey kept me vested in the story. I wished I had a teacher like Theo in school that made school fun.
Overall, a great step for Kanter in writing an adult romance. I enjoyed the dual POV narrated by Gail Shalan and GM Hakim. Thank you @celadonbooks @macmillan.audio for a copy of the book.
At the surface, this is a love story about missed chances but there's so much more. I appreciate Kanter addressing issues with our healthcare system, the frustration of not being properly diagnosed, grief and anger over death of a parent.
Evie and Theo's journey kept me vested in the story. I wished I had a teacher like Theo in school that made school fun.
Overall, a great step for Kanter in writing an adult romance. I enjoyed the dual POV narrated by Gail Shalan and GM Hakim. Thank you @celadonbooks @macmillan.audio for a copy of the book.
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
This was my first book by Marisa and I enjoyed it! Did I need a big glass of wine around 80%, yes, yes I did. This book is angsty, I don’t think it’s just me but if you like fake marriage, friends to lovers and a grand gesture then you will enjoy this book!
Evie and Theo have been friends since they met in dance class as children. There has always been something there but they ignored it and focused on their friendship. Especially as their family lives started to crumble.
When Evie needs health insurance and Theo needs a roommate they decide to get married until Evie can get a job with health benefits. But once married things start to change and those feelings they always had but pushed away start to come back. Now they need to decide how they want to move forward.
Evie and Theo have been friends since they met in dance class as children. There has always been something there but they ignored it and focused on their friendship. Especially as their family lives started to crumble.
When Evie needs health insurance and Theo needs a roommate they decide to get married until Evie can get a job with health benefits. But once married things start to change and those feelings they always had but pushed away start to come back. Now they need to decide how they want to move forward.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Overall I enjoyed this book. I enjoyed learning about the MFC and MMCs relationship over the years and was happy to see them get on the same page eventually. I found the MFCs career to be interesting and something different, and enjoyed learning about this throughout the book. I loved the spotlight chronic illness and health insurance in this book and how this can drive decision making for patients. The aspect of the MFCs chronic illness and how it (and the affects of health insurance) felt so real. Also the rising frequency of colon cancer in young people is something I see at work so I also appreciated this highlight. At times I did feel the book, and relationship, was cycling and recycling the same issue over and over again, which drew the book out and made me loose interest in the book/characters at times. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This story captures the classic slow burn, will-they-or-won’t-they dynamic between two best friends who gradually realize their deeper feelings for each other. Featuring dual timelines and narrators, it explores their journey from childhood to adulthood, weaving in themes of coming of age, chronic illness, and the heartache of a parent dying from cancer.
While the narrators delivered a competent performance, I found the audio narration felt more like straightforward reading rather than a fully immersive acting experience. I suspect I might have enjoyed the story more if I had read it myself, as the emotional depth seemed somewhat muted in audio form.
The plot centers on two friends who struggle with communication, often letting assumptions and past traumas cloud their interactions. Their childhood wounds profoundly shape their behavior, creating barriers that keep them apart. Despite these challenges, the story offers a hopeful resolution as they finally find understanding and connection by the end.
Overall, it’s a heartfelt exploration of friendship, love, and healing-perfect for readers who appreciate nuanced characters and emotional slow burns.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own
While the narrators delivered a competent performance, I found the audio narration felt more like straightforward reading rather than a fully immersive acting experience. I suspect I might have enjoyed the story more if I had read it myself, as the emotional depth seemed somewhat muted in audio form.
The plot centers on two friends who struggle with communication, often letting assumptions and past traumas cloud their interactions. Their childhood wounds profoundly shape their behavior, creating barriers that keep them apart. Despite these challenges, the story offers a hopeful resolution as they finally find understanding and connection by the end.
Overall, it’s a heartfelt exploration of friendship, love, and healing-perfect for readers who appreciate nuanced characters and emotional slow burns.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cancer, Chronic illness, Death of parent