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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5 ⭐️
Tropes: friends to lovers, marriage of convenience, forced proximity, dual POV and dual timelines
“He can't believe they wasted so much time pushing, denying, insisting that anything about their relationship is platonic. As if this wasn't inevitable. Them.”
Evie and Theo were childhood besties that devised a plan to get married after Theo was left without roommates in an apartment he could not afford on his own and Evie’s grandparents sold their house leaving her basically homeless. Not to mention Evie’s chronic health issues and lack of medical insurance. It was a win, win situation, so what could go wrong? Right?
Evie was raised by her grandparents after her mom abandoned her and her sister; I LOVED Evie’s relationship with her grandparents. Evie’s grandmother signed her up for a dance class to give her an outlet, and that’s when she met Theo. They very quickly became best friends and over the years had stolen moments but with Evie’s childhood trauma, her abandonment issues, and her fear of relationships that bled into so many parts of her life, her relationship with Theo included; she didn’t want to do something that would jeopardize their relationship. Over the years she made selfish decisions and it was so hard for her to let herself be truly happy. I think Evie’s character flaws / struggles overshadowed things to much in this book and it was a little repetitive. Theo on the other hand I loved, he was a great teacher [I adored the chapters that included his students], he was so patient and the way he took care of Evie made me love him even more. Overall there were things I loved and things I didn’t but it was still a fun read.
Thank you to NetGalley, and Celadon Books for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Tropes: friends to lovers, marriage of convenience, forced proximity, dual POV and dual timelines
“He can't believe they wasted so much time pushing, denying, insisting that anything about their relationship is platonic. As if this wasn't inevitable. Them.”
Evie and Theo were childhood besties that devised a plan to get married after Theo was left without roommates in an apartment he could not afford on his own and Evie’s grandparents sold their house leaving her basically homeless. Not to mention Evie’s chronic health issues and lack of medical insurance. It was a win, win situation, so what could go wrong? Right?
Evie was raised by her grandparents after her mom abandoned her and her sister; I LOVED Evie’s relationship with her grandparents. Evie’s grandmother signed her up for a dance class to give her an outlet, and that’s when she met Theo. They very quickly became best friends and over the years had stolen moments but with Evie’s childhood trauma, her abandonment issues, and her fear of relationships that bled into so many parts of her life, her relationship with Theo included; she didn’t want to do something that would jeopardize their relationship. Over the years she made selfish decisions and it was so hard for her to let herself be truly happy. I think Evie’s character flaws / struggles overshadowed things to much in this book and it was a little repetitive. Theo on the other hand I loved, he was a great teacher [I adored the chapters that included his students], he was so patient and the way he took care of Evie made me love him even more. Overall there were things I loved and things I didn’t but it was still a fun read.
Thank you to NetGalley, and Celadon Books for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS by Marisa Kanter was a 3.75 Star read for me.
I enjoyed the diversity in the characters, the way the story flowed with flashbacks that show the development of the relationship and the relationship between the teacher and his students. It was really cool to see a teacher who cares so much. Oh and to see BTS of sound making.
I also liked that not everyone was "perfect". This is a spoiler free review so I am just going to say that there was something about all of the characters that just didn't sit right with me. From MCs, to the grandparents, to other teachers, to the sister, they all were just so self involved while giving the impression that they were trying be helpful to the others.
I always admire anyone who can write their thoughts and create art in the form of books. This particular piece of art just wasn't for me.
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC.
I enjoyed the diversity in the characters, the way the story flowed with flashbacks that show the development of the relationship and the relationship between the teacher and his students. It was really cool to see a teacher who cares so much. Oh and to see BTS of sound making.
I also liked that not everyone was "perfect". This is a spoiler free review so I am just going to say that there was something about all of the characters that just didn't sit right with me. From MCs, to the grandparents, to other teachers, to the sister, they all were just so self involved while giving the impression that they were trying be helpful to the others.
I always admire anyone who can write their thoughts and create art in the form of books. This particular piece of art just wasn't for me.
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC.
This was a heartwarming, dual POV with flashbacks friends to lovers story. Evie and and Theo have the sweetest friendship bonded by dance and a history of supporting each other through hard times. I really appreciated the supporting characters (particularly Evie's sister Gen). This would be a great beach read! Thank you NetGalley and Celadon books for the ARC.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
YOO this smacks!!
I don’t even know the last time I felt this tenderly towards a contemporary romance. Kanter writes SO expertly, executing a slow burn friends-to-lovers through flashbacks. They are just fucking YEARNNNING for each other.
And it’s such a strong political statement?? One reason I tend towards historicals is that they use marriage as a tool to navigate explicitly oppressive systems, and this DOES THAT.
And I haven’t even GOTTEN to the fact that this is one of the best depictions of LA ever?? Bungalows in Altadena and the working-/middle-class industry workers and Lucky Boy burritos and random competitions in OC?
This is obvs incoherent, but I’ve been looking for books that fill all of Friends with Benefits’ niches and it just hit the mark in every area!!
I don’t even know the last time I felt this tenderly towards a contemporary romance. Kanter writes SO expertly, executing a slow burn friends-to-lovers through flashbacks. They are just fucking YEARNNNING for each other.
And it’s such a strong political statement?? One reason I tend towards historicals is that they use marriage as a tool to navigate explicitly oppressive systems, and this DOES THAT.
And I haven’t even GOTTEN to the fact that this is one of the best depictions of LA ever?? Bungalows in Altadena and the working-/middle-class industry workers and Lucky Boy burritos and random competitions in OC?
This is obvs incoherent, but I’ve been looking for books that fill all of Friends with Benefits’ niches and it just hit the mark in every area!!
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Friends with Benefits was an enjoyable friends-to-lovers, marriage-of-convenience read, featuring thoughtful representation of chronic illness and the LGBTQIA+ community. Kanter skillfully highlights important issues, such as medical gaslighting and critiques of the US healthcare system, which I truly appreciated. The main female character's unique career added an extra layer of interest, making the story feel fresh and engaging. While I found the dual narration in third person a bit unusual and occasionally struggled with clarity during flashbacks, overall, the heartfelt themes and authentic representation made this book a perfect palate cleanser to read in between fantasy series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Chronic illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Abandonment
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
This was a solid 3 star read for me!
The chronic illness rep I felt like was done very well. Obviously the entire premise of this story really points to massive issues within our healthcare system - I think it's really obvious where the author stands on that front and I had zero issue with it.
Evie was a flawed character and I did end up liking her, but it definitely took me some time to really get into her on her own. I think people tend to be harsher on female leads so honestly for me, I don't think there was anything wrong with how she was written, I just think she was written with a personality I don't relate to, but that doesn't mean that other's won't love her! I did really like Theo from the start. I thought he was sweet and supportive and an easy read for me.
Overall it was a cute story!
Thank you so much to Celadon books for the eARC in exchange for my honest feedback.
The chronic illness rep I felt like was done very well. Obviously the entire premise of this story really points to massive issues within our healthcare system - I think it's really obvious where the author stands on that front and I had zero issue with it.
Evie was a flawed character and I did end up liking her, but it definitely took me some time to really get into her on her own. I think people tend to be harsher on female leads so honestly for me, I don't think there was anything wrong with how she was written, I just think she was written with a personality I don't relate to, but that doesn't mean that other's won't love her! I did really like Theo from the start. I thought he was sweet and supportive and an easy read for me.
Overall it was a cute story!
Thank you so much to Celadon books for the eARC in exchange for my honest feedback.
Let me start by saying I love a marriage-of-convenience trope. I think this book had an interesting premise for the fake marriage - keep a rent-stabilized apartment + health insurance for a great internship opportunity. The one thing I didn't like about this was that I felt during a fight, Evie dropped a VERY LOW BLOW on Theo. Unfortunately, it made me lose a little respect for Evie. However, I have not had any life experiences close to what she had gone through, but as I have gone through life, I've noticed that I find statements to just hurt someone inexcusable. Now, if I ignore that line, I'm pretty happy overall with how the relationship between the characters developed. I understand that there needed to be some fight and tension, I just wish that wasn't how that fight developed? It just felt like Evie took a massive step back, but shoutout to Theo for being a pretty solid human (for the most part).
Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon Books for the ARC!
Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon Books for the ARC!
emotional
reflective
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:
Yes
3.5 stars.
Some of my favorite things in this story!
*Childhood Friends to Lovers & Spicy
*Disability & Queer Representation
*Forced Proximity & Marriage of Convenience
Our two main characters have been friends since childhood and now they are at a major crossroad in their life. A series of unfortunate events leads to them agreeing to a Marriage of Convenience for health benefits and financial security— Honestly, so relatable in today’s world. However, now that they are around each other much more some feelings they may have both surpassed begin to bubble to the surface.
While I am not typically a fan of the miscommunication trope, I feel like it was well done in this story. We get to experience the story from dual POVs as well as see snippets of their lives and some of the trauma that helps explain some of the flaws leading to their poor decision making. We even get to experience several events from both character perspective. It was not enjoyable witnessing them both continue to miss the plot with each other and excuse it all away, but it was understandable when you think about all of their collective experiences that lead to them being where they are.
So, if you enjoy witnessing character make mistakes, learn, grow, and try again… This is a romance for you.
This was a solid listen that was very well produced and excellently cast.
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Thank you to Marisa Kanter, Netgalley, and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to and review this ALC. I really enjoyed this ARC and I have to say the narration was perfection. Gail Shalan and GM Hakim did a wonderful job bringing the characters to life and elevated the experience quite a bit. I always appreciate a story where the main character's disability or health issues are centered because it feels so much more like real life. I am also a sucker for those sweet second chances and friends to lovers stories, so this one really delivered for me.
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really enjoyed this one, and contrary to some of the other reviews, I ABSOLUTELY think politics belong in romcoms. I loved that Marisa Kanter didn't hold back from condemning the American healthcare system, AND it made a perfect setup for this marriage of convenience story. I really liked Theo and Evie's individual arcs, and I loved the family dynamics present. Evie has a relationship with Theo's dad that is separate from Theo and feels really complicated for him, and both of their love for Theo's mom was beautiful. I loved the successful communication early on where Theo admits a mistake to Evie right away instead of hiding it just to build conflict in their relationship, and I loved that their marriage vows for the fake wedding were in fact entirely honest. I also really loved teacher Theo and his class—what an absolute cutie of a teacher.
A lot of other reviews suggest that Evie is too immature and selfish, and I'd counter that by saying that Marisa Kanter does a great job of showing how scared Evie is to shake things up in her life when she finally has things figured out. She's also still only in her twenties and has had to fend for herself since she was a kid! Yes, she has growth to do, but on the whole I have a lot of sympathy for what Evie and Theo are both going through.
On the whole, a really cute and relevant read that doesn't ignore the political climate but also doesn't sink into misery about it. Highly recommend!
A lot of other reviews suggest that Evie is too immature and selfish, and I'd counter that by saying that Marisa Kanter does a great job of showing how scared Evie is to shake things up in her life when she finally has things figured out. She's also still only in her twenties and has had to fend for herself since she was a kid! Yes, she has growth to do, but on the whole I have a lot of sympathy for what Evie and Theo are both going through.
On the whole, a really cute and relevant read that doesn't ignore the political climate but also doesn't sink into misery about it. Highly recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Abandonment
Moderate: Ableism, Cancer, Emotional abuse, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail