Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Evie and Theo have been best friends for as long as anyone can remember. They have done everything together, with the exception of college. Competitive dancing as teens, Survivor nights, and all the family drama in between. They have always been each other’s biggest supporters, so when a huge opportunity opens up for Evie, but she’s convinced she shouldn’t take it, Theo applies for her. And when Evie is selected for it, Theo comes through in an even bigger way with an idea to benefit them both. Will they be happy with their Friends with Benefits situation or will this rip them apart?
Marisa Kanter is releasing her debut adult novel with Friends with Benefits. Known for her humorous love stories for young adults, Kanter delivers a perfect late 20’s love story that is both realistic and relatable in today’s economic environment. With personal drama, professional development, and growth on all fronts, this book is a perfect transition for readers transitioning out of the young adult age bracket and looking for something a little more mature. This is a book about not being afraid to go after what you want, but also the value of the family you create for yourself.
I give Friends with Benefits 4 out of 5 stars. I really liked this book and couldn’t get over how well written the characters’ backstories were. As someone with a chronic illness that was misdiagnosed, that aspect of the story was so tangible for me. I also appreciate the honest look at what healthcare looks like in our society – this was something I was not prepared for at that age. But above all, I loved the way these two characters’ lives are intertwined in such a relatable way. The ending verges on being too “Hallmark movie”, but the rest of this book has a completely different and relatable feel that pulled me in and kept me entertained until the end!
If you love books by Emma Lord, Emily Henry or Courtney Walsh, you’re going to love this book! With themes of parental abandonment and chronic illness, this book may not be the best selection for everyone. Also, I’d give this a light spice rating with some lightly explicit references, but most are “closed door”. However, I’d direct this to more mature audiences over 16.
I was looking for a lighter audiobook to listen to after some more serious reads when I saw this available on NetGalley. I’ve heard a lot about Kanter’s previous works and loved the cover art for this one. I loved the description of this book, too – it sounded like just the type of fun, light-hearted release I needed!
Friends with Benefits will release May 6th. You can pre-order your copy today on our Bookshop.org page!
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What I’m Reading
- Current print book: Forget Me Not, Stacy Willingham
- Current audio book: Born in Death, JD Robb
- Book I’m most looking forward to: I’m Glad My Mom Died, Jennette McCurdy
Read With Lindsey 