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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
Friends With Benefits
3.5/5 ⭐️
Read Dates: 5/2 - 5/5
Thank you Celadon Books and Macmillan Publishing for the opportunity to read Friends with Benefits by Marisa Kanter before its publication.
This book was so so cute! This book felt so real while reading it, the emotions, the personalities, bringing the characters to life, life challenges and changes and fun! This book has so many important topics like chronic illness and the corrupt health care system which I thought was unique and different because ultimately it is such a big issue today.
There were so many sweet moments with the friends to lovers dynamic. I really liked the flash backs we got of Evie and Theo’s friendship but ultimately I felt like the chemistry between the characters lacked a bit because how the main characters previous partners were constantly mentioned in the book as if we were trying to also focus on them, which I didn’t care for at all. Even though they were platonic soulmates we feel like it was just that.
The overall flow of the book I felt like was really good but at times there were too many tiny details during bigger important moments which slowed it a bit. But reading through the book really was quick, such an easy read!
This is the perfect contemporary romance book that will leave your heart warm and engage you with all the banter and emotions!
3.5/5 ⭐️
Read Dates: 5/2 - 5/5
Thank you Celadon Books and Macmillan Publishing for the opportunity to read Friends with Benefits by Marisa Kanter before its publication.
This book was so so cute! This book felt so real while reading it, the emotions, the personalities, bringing the characters to life, life challenges and changes and fun! This book has so many important topics like chronic illness and the corrupt health care system which I thought was unique and different because ultimately it is such a big issue today.
There were so many sweet moments with the friends to lovers dynamic. I really liked the flash backs we got of Evie and Theo’s friendship but ultimately I felt like the chemistry between the characters lacked a bit because how the main characters previous partners were constantly mentioned in the book as if we were trying to also focus on them, which I didn’t care for at all. Even though they were platonic soulmates we feel like it was just that.
The overall flow of the book I felt like was really good but at times there were too many tiny details during bigger important moments which slowed it a bit. But reading through the book really was quick, such an easy read!
This is the perfect contemporary romance book that will leave your heart warm and engage you with all the banter and emotions!
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
fast-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
slow-paced
hopeful
lighthearted
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
emotional
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have had my eye on this book for a minute to read. I finally was able to dedicate time and read the story. Overall, I loved the representation of LGBTQ+ and chronic illnesses. Friend to Lovers and Fake Dating (marriage) are two of my favorite tropes. Overall the story was cute and light hearted. I adored Theo but had a really difficult time connecting with Evie as a MFC. There were aspects about her I really liked, but also felt a little flat in her character development. Overall, her development as a character felt really rushed. The relationship between the two characters felt a little co-dependent for me, which is likely due to their backstory. Overall, I am glad I got to read the book and thank you to NetGallery and Celadon Books for allowing me to read the ARC.
I listened to an advanced listener copy of this book thanks to Macmillan audio and NetGalley.
First of all, I FREAKING LOVE THIS BOOK! Sometimes you read a book that you relate to so hard and it’s slightly uncomfortable but worth it. This is one of those books. Evie and Theo have been best friends since they were kids. They’ve also been in love with each other almost as long but neither is willing to act on it. Evie suddenly needs to find a new place to live after her current home has been sold and Theos roommates are moving out leaving Theo needing to find roommates or move. The lease requires insane income requirements to keep the only loophole marriage. Evie has a chronic illness that requires regular doctor’s appointments, testing, and expensive medications. So Evie and Theo decide to get married because it’s mutually beneficial but everything starts to change between them and the struggle to remain platonic soulmates gets harder every day.
These characters aren’t perfect they are human and flawed and that’s what makes them so good. There is chronic illness, grief and anxiety rep in this book and it’s so well written. I laughed and unfortunately cried throughout this book. I fell in love with these characters so deeply that their pain broke my heart. For me this is a sign of a well written book. When you become so attached to a character that you feel their emotions you know the author is excellent.
This audiobook was dual narrated by Gail Shalan and GM Hakim. The narrators were great and really made these characters come alive. I loved them so much I want to listen to more of their work and will actively seek out other books narrated by them.
First of all, I FREAKING LOVE THIS BOOK! Sometimes you read a book that you relate to so hard and it’s slightly uncomfortable but worth it. This is one of those books. Evie and Theo have been best friends since they were kids. They’ve also been in love with each other almost as long but neither is willing to act on it. Evie suddenly needs to find a new place to live after her current home has been sold and Theos roommates are moving out leaving Theo needing to find roommates or move. The lease requires insane income requirements to keep the only loophole marriage. Evie has a chronic illness that requires regular doctor’s appointments, testing, and expensive medications. So Evie and Theo decide to get married because it’s mutually beneficial but everything starts to change between them and the struggle to remain platonic soulmates gets harder every day.
These characters aren’t perfect they are human and flawed and that’s what makes them so good. There is chronic illness, grief and anxiety rep in this book and it’s so well written. I laughed and unfortunately cried throughout this book. I fell in love with these characters so deeply that their pain broke my heart. For me this is a sign of a well written book. When you become so attached to a character that you feel their emotions you know the author is excellent.
This audiobook was dual narrated by Gail Shalan and GM Hakim. The narrators were great and really made these characters come alive. I loved them so much I want to listen to more of their work and will actively seek out other books narrated by them.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced