Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you Macmillan audio for the review copy!
This one didn't work for me but it might be just right for other romance fans, take a look at other reviews as what doesn't work for me might not impact others!
Friends with Benefits was a miss for me, strong audio production and narration bolster my review of the audiobook, but the story did not land for me. I found the writing, right from the start, repetitive and the repetitive/writing style issue made the FMC seem very young and juvenile, hard to connect with, throughout the book. For me I need to be cheering on the main characters, waiting for the HEA or big coming of age moment and here I didn't find myself wanting to see the plot through. The romance fizzled for me, felt flat and forced and I say this as a huge fake dating fan, I am usually easily won over by that trope!
This one didn't work for me but it might be just right for other romance fans, take a look at other reviews as what doesn't work for me might not impact others!
Friends with Benefits was a miss for me, strong audio production and narration bolster my review of the audiobook, but the story did not land for me. I found the writing, right from the start, repetitive and the repetitive/writing style issue made the FMC seem very young and juvenile, hard to connect with, throughout the book. For me I need to be cheering on the main characters, waiting for the HEA or big coming of age moment and here I didn't find myself wanting to see the plot through. The romance fizzled for me, felt flat and forced and I say this as a huge fake dating fan, I am usually easily won over by that trope!
Meet Theo and Evelyn. They have been best friends forever. Unfortunately, both of their living situations are about to change, but Evie can move in with Theo if they get married. What?? This is actually a perfect solution as Evie has a chronic health condition and no health insurance at her new internship. Everything is great until they catch feelings (or finally show them).
The narration by Gail Shalan and GM Hakim was enjoyable and provided an excellent contrast in characters. Make this one of your first beach reads this summer- audio or print.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advance audio copy. All opinions are my own.
emotional
lighthearted
medium-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
Theo and Evie's story was unconventional but so well-developed with their shared memories and mutual respect. Their backstories were poignant, surviving childhood trauma and the end of adult relationships. I can't imagine the book ending any other way!
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
When lifelong friends Theo and Evie decide to get married for practical reasons—health benefits and the freedom for Evie to chase her dream job—they think they’ve got it all figured out. It’s just paperwork and pretending when necessary. Easy.
But when the lines between their fake marriage and real emotions begin to blur, they’re forced to ask themselves: What happens when the pretending doesn’t stop once the doors close?
As feelings they both feared to recognize, Theo and Evie must decide if their convenient arrangement has the potential to become something truly lasting—or if love was never part of the deal.
But when the lines between their fake marriage and real emotions begin to blur, they’re forced to ask themselves: What happens when the pretending doesn’t stop once the doors close?
As feelings they both feared to recognize, Theo and Evie must decide if their convenient arrangement has the potential to become something truly lasting—or if love was never part of the deal.
I wasn't sure I was going to read this book. Childhood friends to lovers is historically not a trope I really like, but when I saw Marisa Kanter mention that there were Survivor references I decided to give it a try, and I'm so glad I did and so surprised by just how much I ended up liking this book. I even was rooting enough for Evie and Theo as a couple that I spent much of the last 20% of the book crying off and on.
I loved this book! As a chronic illness girly, I related so deeply with so many of the FMCs thoughts and struggles in her day to day life. Also insurance being terrible being a major plot point is so very American (womp womp), and the flirty banter about how good his insurance is was 10/10 and seduced me a little too.
I loved the relationship between Evie + Theo - the history, the pining, the friendship, the deep care for each other. They both genuinely wanted the best for each other even if they thought it wasn't them.
This is such a sweet friends to lovers book, and it's a perfect summer beach read!
...
TW: chronic illness, death of a parent (off page), parental neglect
I loved the relationship between Evie + Theo - the history, the pining, the friendship, the deep care for each other. They both genuinely wanted the best for each other even if they thought it wasn't them.
This is such a sweet friends to lovers book, and it's a perfect summer beach read!
...
TW: chronic illness, death of a parent (off page), parental neglect
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness
Moderate: Death of parent, Abandonment
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Friends with Benefits by Marisa Kanter surprised me and left me with a slight book hangover. This was my first experience with her writing, and it was absolutely delightful. The narrative was both emotional and uplifting, offering many layers to the friends-to-lovers and marriage-of-convenience romance. Evie and Theo, lifelong friends and former ballroom dance partners, are now adults—Theo as a teacher and Evie as an emerging Foley artist. Together, they have navigated various life challenges. Evie faces a chronic illness and requires better health insurance, while Theo needs a wife for practical reasons (i.e, rent in LA), leading to their unexpected marriage, something Evie never envisioned for herself. As someone living with a chronic illness in America, I resonated deeply with Evie's struggles regarding insurance and the associated medical trauma. I also felt a mix of frustration and affection for her stubbornness (in the most loving "let him love you" way!). Theo was a wonderful and empathetic main male character. I truly enjoyed their long-term story, enriched with glimpses of their past woven throughout the contemporary narrative, and I was rooting for their happy ending. The narrators did an excellent job bringing the story to life, and I wholeheartedly recommend either listening to or reading this book!
Thank you to Marisa Kantar, NetGally and Macmillan Audio for the ALC in trade for a fair and honest review.
Thank you to Marisa Kantar, NetGally and Macmillan Audio for the ALC in trade for a fair and honest review.
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“Friends With Benefits” is a romcom that offers a familiar, feel-good storyline of lifelong friends falling in love. Evie and Theo, both carrying their own emotional baggage from past trauma, have been secretly in love with each other since their preteen years. Their close friendship has always been the foundation of their lives, and it’s clear that the bond between them is special. When Evie finds herself in financial and medical distress, she and Theo come up with a practical solution: they marry so she can benefit from his insurance.
As with most romcoms, we know where this story is headed, and that’s part of the charm. It’s the journey to the happily-ever-after that keeps readers engaged. Unfortunately, I found that this journey felt a little more tedious than I’d hoped.
The long-time friends-to-lovers trope is always tricky, and I think the author does a solid job explaining why these two haven’t acted on their feelings sooner. Their past is filled with miscommunication and emotional immaturity, making it plausible that they didn’t confess their feelings when they were teens. As adults, their reluctance to risk their friendship for the unknown of romance is also believable and relatable.
However, once Evie and Theo finally acknowledge their feelings and insist that they can have a “casual” sexual relationship, the story lost me. The obstacles they face after this turning point felt a bit forced and repetitive. Rather than communicating openly, both characters seem to throw up emotional roadblocks that stem from their inability to have a straightforward conversation—something that feels out of place for two people who share such a deep connection. This repetition started to weigh the story down and pulled me out of the experience.
Overall, while *Friends With Benefits* certainly has its moments of warmth, it didn’t quite delivery for me. The foundation of a great story was there, but the pacing and some of the character choices made it harder for me to stay fully invested. That said, fans of lighthearted romcoms may enjoy Evie and Theo’s story.
Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for providing an advanced copy of the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent