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Friends with Benefits
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100 copies available
U.S. only
Lifelong best friends say 'I do' to a marriage of convenience, trading vows for a financial safety net and benefits. Perfect for fans of Emily Henry and Katherine Center.
Evie Bloom pays attention to the details. Her very job depends on it—as an aspiring Foley artist, she’s responsible for every crisp footstep, smacking kiss, and distinct sound in film and television. So when she’s selected for a fellowship opportunity that would make all her career dreams come true, she’s quick to spot the there are no health benefits, and for someone with a chronic illness, that’s a non-starter.
Theo Cohen is an elementary school teacher who can't afford to live on his own in LA, and is facing eviction after his roommates couple up and move out of their dream of a rent-controlled apartment. But there is one loophole in his each tenant must meet an income threshold, unless the tenants are married.
For Theo, the answer is obvious. Marry Evie, his best friend since forever. It’s not as if they don’t spend all their free time together anyways. Not only will Theo be able to keep his apartment, but Evie can be added to his insurance plan so she can accept her dream fellowship. It’s such a logical, practical solution. Never mind that Evie doesn’t really want to be married—not to Theo, not to anyone—ever. Or the small, complicating fact that Theo has always been a little bit in love with Evie.
But it doesn’t have to be a big deal. Marriage. It will just give them space to breathe, and much-needed relief from the daily financial stress. It won’t change anything.
It’s . . . going to change everything.
Evie Bloom pays attention to the details. Her very job depends on it—as an aspiring Foley artist, she’s responsible for every crisp footstep, smacking kiss, and distinct sound in film and television. So when she’s selected for a fellowship opportunity that would make all her career dreams come true, she’s quick to spot the there are no health benefits, and for someone with a chronic illness, that’s a non-starter.
Theo Cohen is an elementary school teacher who can't afford to live on his own in LA, and is facing eviction after his roommates couple up and move out of their dream of a rent-controlled apartment. But there is one loophole in his each tenant must meet an income threshold, unless the tenants are married.
For Theo, the answer is obvious. Marry Evie, his best friend since forever. It’s not as if they don’t spend all their free time together anyways. Not only will Theo be able to keep his apartment, but Evie can be added to his insurance plan so she can accept her dream fellowship. It’s such a logical, practical solution. Never mind that Evie doesn’t really want to be married—not to Theo, not to anyone—ever. Or the small, complicating fact that Theo has always been a little bit in love with Evie.
But it doesn’t have to be a big deal. Marriage. It will just give them space to breathe, and much-needed relief from the daily financial stress. It won’t change anything.
It’s . . . going to change everything.
384 pages, Paperback
Expected publication May 6, 2025
61 people are currently reading
27.5k people want to read
About the author
Marisa Kanter
4books446followersMarisa Kanter is the author of modern love stories for both teens and adults. Born and raised in the suburbs of Boston, her obsession with books led her to New York City, where she worked in publishing for a number of years. She currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband, where she writes by day and crochets her wardrobe by night. Friends With Benefits is her debut adult novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 258 reviews
April 21, 2025
I was so invested in this book as a devoted lover of binge romance reading. I also read the previous works of Marisa Kanter and enjoyed them, which made me extra enthusiastic about this book. But... yes, a big but coming up...
I made the mistake of requesting this one without reading the plot first—rookie move, I know—only to realize it shares a strikingly similar premise with Would You Rather by Allison Ashley, a book I absolutely adored and rated five stars. In both stories, we have lifelong friends entering a marriage of convenience: one needs health insurance, the other needs to keep a roof over their head. When plots echo each other this closely, it’s hard not to compare, and unfortunately, Friends with Benefits didn’t shine as brightly in that comparison.
The biggest hurdle for me was the protagonist, Evie Bloom. I wanted to like her. Her job as a Foley artist (seriously cool!) had the potential to bring something really fresh and quirky to the story, but her personality came off as too chaotic and self-centered for me to emotionally connect. Her inner monologue often felt more exhausting than endearing, and some of her choices made it hard to root for her. It’s not that she had flaws—I like flawed characters—but she didn’t seem to grow in a way that made those flaws feel purposeful or redemptive.
On the flip side, Theo was an absolute sweetheart. As an elementary school teacher facing eviction, he felt grounded, kind, and genuine. His soft-spoken, supportive nature was exactly what Evie needed—but sometimes it felt like he got lost in the whirlwind of her drama. I would have loved to see more of his perspective, more fire from him, and a better balance between their emotional journeys.
I do want to acknowledge one of the book’s strengths: the honest and much-needed representation of chronic illness and the broken healthcare system. Evie’s health struggles gave the story a real-world urgency, and I appreciated how the author didn’t shy away from showing the messy, stressful realities of living with a chronic condition. That layer added substance to the otherwise rom-com-style plot.
The friends-to-lovers dynamic had sweet moments, and some flashbacks were lovely, but overall, the pacing dragged for me, and the chemistry just didn’t feel strong enough to carry the story. I found myself wanting more connection and less over-explaining of every detail (seriously, I didn’t need to know every character’s drink order!).
In the end, this was a solid three-star read. It had potential, and there were moments that hit the right notes, but as a whole, it didn’t sweep me off my feet. Still, I know many romance readers will find charm and warmth in these pages—and I’ll absolutely keep an eye out for what Marisa Kanter writes next.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and Celadon Books for sharing this romance's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
I made the mistake of requesting this one without reading the plot first—rookie move, I know—only to realize it shares a strikingly similar premise with Would You Rather by Allison Ashley, a book I absolutely adored and rated five stars. In both stories, we have lifelong friends entering a marriage of convenience: one needs health insurance, the other needs to keep a roof over their head. When plots echo each other this closely, it’s hard not to compare, and unfortunately, Friends with Benefits didn’t shine as brightly in that comparison.
The biggest hurdle for me was the protagonist, Evie Bloom. I wanted to like her. Her job as a Foley artist (seriously cool!) had the potential to bring something really fresh and quirky to the story, but her personality came off as too chaotic and self-centered for me to emotionally connect. Her inner monologue often felt more exhausting than endearing, and some of her choices made it hard to root for her. It’s not that she had flaws—I like flawed characters—but she didn’t seem to grow in a way that made those flaws feel purposeful or redemptive.
On the flip side, Theo was an absolute sweetheart. As an elementary school teacher facing eviction, he felt grounded, kind, and genuine. His soft-spoken, supportive nature was exactly what Evie needed—but sometimes it felt like he got lost in the whirlwind of her drama. I would have loved to see more of his perspective, more fire from him, and a better balance between their emotional journeys.
I do want to acknowledge one of the book’s strengths: the honest and much-needed representation of chronic illness and the broken healthcare system. Evie’s health struggles gave the story a real-world urgency, and I appreciated how the author didn’t shy away from showing the messy, stressful realities of living with a chronic condition. That layer added substance to the otherwise rom-com-style plot.
The friends-to-lovers dynamic had sweet moments, and some flashbacks were lovely, but overall, the pacing dragged for me, and the chemistry just didn’t feel strong enough to carry the story. I found myself wanting more connection and less over-explaining of every detail (seriously, I didn’t need to know every character’s drink order!).
In the end, this was a solid three-star read. It had potential, and there were moments that hit the right notes, but as a whole, it didn’t sweep me off my feet. Still, I know many romance readers will find charm and warmth in these pages—and I’ll absolutely keep an eye out for what Marisa Kanter writes next.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and Celadon Books for sharing this romance's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
April 3, 2025
OUTLIER ALERT:
Although I loved the book's "Friends with Benefits" title/premise, I was not the right reader for this book.
WHY?
1) I AM A KATHERINE CENTER FAN.
The publisher's blurb promised a lighthearted rom-com for fans of Katherine Center.
Katherine Center's new 2025 release just received a glowing 5-star review from me.
Even with a vivid imagination, stating that author Marisa Kanter's writing style shared similarities with Katherine Center's style was a HUGE stretch.
2) PACING. At times, the book's pacing was tediously slow.
3) POLITICS. The author's political views were included in this book. (Ouch!!!!!)
I enjoy "no politics, please" rom-coms, and therefore, this book was not lighthearted and had me cringing instead of LOL and commiserating with the protagonists.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Gail Shalan and GM Hakim.
I always enjoy multi-cast narrations.
Gail Shalon's narration was good but not great. GM Hakim's narration was superb.
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
2.5 stars
February 7, 2025
how could i not love this book? the characters are survivor fanatics. this book was adorable
April 24, 2025
I received a copy of this book for free from the publisher (Celadon Books) for promotional purposes.
This was a fun rom-com with a lot of depth!
First off, the title is perfect because it sums up the book so well. Two friends, Theo and Evie, get married so Evie (who has a chronic illness) can get good health benefits and together they qualify for Theo’s rent controlled apartment.
Marriage of convenience is one of my favorite romance tropes and I thought the author executed it skillfully. Their reasons for getting married made sense and the fact that they were life long friends made it very plausible. Marriage of convenience can sometimes feel far-fetched when the two characters don’t know each other well.
Despite being a romantic comedy, I loved that the book touched upon more serious topics. It explored grief, chronic illness (specifically Crohn’s disease), family abandonment, the healthcare system, and the education system. These added a layer of “realness� to the story.
I also liked the inclusion of flashbacks that slowly revealed Theo and Evie’s not-so platonic friendship through the years. They were woven throughout the story and were perfectly placed.
Theo and Evie are not without their faults. Neither one of them is perfect and they both make a ton of mistakes, but that’s what makes them human. They worked well as a couple because of their history and friendship. They really understood each other.
Side note: I thought it was so fun that Theo and Evie were big Survivor fans. As a fan of the show, I enjoyed the Survivor references.
Overall, I really loved this romance! If you like the friends-to-lovers and/or marriage of convenience tropes, be sure to check this one out.
This was a fun rom-com with a lot of depth!
First off, the title is perfect because it sums up the book so well. Two friends, Theo and Evie, get married so Evie (who has a chronic illness) can get good health benefits and together they qualify for Theo’s rent controlled apartment.
Marriage of convenience is one of my favorite romance tropes and I thought the author executed it skillfully. Their reasons for getting married made sense and the fact that they were life long friends made it very plausible. Marriage of convenience can sometimes feel far-fetched when the two characters don’t know each other well.
Despite being a romantic comedy, I loved that the book touched upon more serious topics. It explored grief, chronic illness (specifically Crohn’s disease), family abandonment, the healthcare system, and the education system. These added a layer of “realness� to the story.
I also liked the inclusion of flashbacks that slowly revealed Theo and Evie’s not-so platonic friendship through the years. They were woven throughout the story and were perfectly placed.
Theo and Evie are not without their faults. Neither one of them is perfect and they both make a ton of mistakes, but that’s what makes them human. They worked well as a couple because of their history and friendship. They really understood each other.
Side note: I thought it was so fun that Theo and Evie were big Survivor fans. As a fan of the show, I enjoyed the Survivor references.
Overall, I really loved this romance! If you like the friends-to-lovers and/or marriage of convenience tropes, be sure to check this one out.
March 19, 2025
2.5⭐️
A friends-to-lovers, marriage of convenience romance! Evie and Theo get married so that a) Evie can use Theo's health insurance and b) they qualify for rent in Theo's building. I had high hopes for this, because all of these things sounded right up my alley- but this really did not work for me. I kept pushing myself to finish it, hoping it would get better and it really just got worse
To start us off: the romance. Did not work. The author did a really good job setting up Evie and Theo as friends- they've known each other since they were children. Went to school together, danced together, are close with each other's families. But they were such platonic friends that I didn't believe it when they started to (internally) admit their feelings? I just didn't buy that they've been in love with each other for years, let alone five minutes
So I think the author also pushed too hard to try and make this like, hip? And sex-positive? Like Evie is very open about her sexuality and casual partners, which is great! But the author really kept pushing, to the point of a) making Evie awful and b) just making things weird. Evie brings Theo across the country to NYC as her date to a family bat mitzvah- where she tries to ditch him for the day to go hook up with an old FWB. If a friend EVER did this to me, I would seriously reconsider our friendship. Like again, great! Evie is capable and unashamed of having casual sex. But bailing on her best friend? Not cool. ALSO. Her grandparents send her and Theo a box of sex toys to celebrate their marriage?... Her grandma also took her to a sex shop on her 18th birthday to help pick out her first vibrator. I'm sorry, I don't care what anyone thinks- this is weird.
Then we get to Evie. Honestly I wanted this book to end with Theo running as far as he could in the opposite direction of Evie. She's in therapy and acts like this makes her well-adjusted, but is the most toxic person in this book. On the relationship side, I truly don't believe she loved Theo. She flies to NYC in a flashback to confess her feelings and is devastated when he's with another woman- so she sleeps with his roommate? This is not the behaviour of someone in love. At one point she says she can't be rejected by Theo for a third time- you know what the first two times were?! Prom when they were like 16 and she threw him a casual 'hey want to go together' but he already had a date. And the second time he "rejected" her? AT HIS MOTHER'S FUNERAL. Dear god. They were both drinking and end up making out and Theo stops things because again- it's his mother's funeral and they were both grieving. When he points out that that was CLEARLY not the time for them to get together or talk about their relationship, Evie basically implies that she should have been the priority in that moment.
She just kept continually getting more awful. When she gets made she throws a really low-blow at Theo purposefully to hurt him (to get him to leave her in LA and go to NYC I think? I don't even know) but is absolutely flabbergasted when he throws a low-blow right back at him. Like Evie CONTINUALLY pushed him away, was awful to him on purpose, and for some reason Theo kept coming back for more.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing team for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A friends-to-lovers, marriage of convenience romance! Evie and Theo get married so that a) Evie can use Theo's health insurance and b) they qualify for rent in Theo's building. I had high hopes for this, because all of these things sounded right up my alley- but this really did not work for me. I kept pushing myself to finish it, hoping it would get better and it really just got worse
To start us off: the romance. Did not work. The author did a really good job setting up Evie and Theo as friends- they've known each other since they were children. Went to school together, danced together, are close with each other's families. But they were such platonic friends that I didn't believe it when they started to (internally) admit their feelings? I just didn't buy that they've been in love with each other for years, let alone five minutes
So I think the author also pushed too hard to try and make this like, hip? And sex-positive? Like Evie is very open about her sexuality and casual partners, which is great! But the author really kept pushing, to the point of a) making Evie awful and b) just making things weird. Evie brings Theo across the country to NYC as her date to a family bat mitzvah- where she tries to ditch him for the day to go hook up with an old FWB. If a friend EVER did this to me, I would seriously reconsider our friendship. Like again, great! Evie is capable and unashamed of having casual sex. But bailing on her best friend? Not cool. ALSO. Her grandparents send her and Theo a box of sex toys to celebrate their marriage?... Her grandma also took her to a sex shop on her 18th birthday to help pick out her first vibrator. I'm sorry, I don't care what anyone thinks- this is weird.
Then we get to Evie. Honestly I wanted this book to end with Theo running as far as he could in the opposite direction of Evie. She's in therapy and acts like this makes her well-adjusted, but is the most toxic person in this book. On the relationship side, I truly don't believe she loved Theo. She flies to NYC in a flashback to confess her feelings and is devastated when he's with another woman- so she sleeps with his roommate? This is not the behaviour of someone in love. At one point she says she can't be rejected by Theo for a third time- you know what the first two times were?! Prom when they were like 16 and she threw him a casual 'hey want to go together' but he already had a date. And the second time he "rejected" her? AT HIS MOTHER'S FUNERAL. Dear god. They were both drinking and end up making out and Theo stops things because again- it's his mother's funeral and they were both grieving. When he points out that that was CLEARLY not the time for them to get together or talk about their relationship, Evie basically implies that she should have been the priority in that moment.
She just kept continually getting more awful. When she gets made she throws a really low-blow at Theo purposefully to hurt him (to get him to leave her in LA and go to NYC I think? I don't even know) but is absolutely flabbergasted when he throws a low-blow right back at him. Like Evie CONTINUALLY pushed him away, was awful to him on purpose, and for some reason Theo kept coming back for more.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing team for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 22, 2025
I wanted to love this more than I did. I will say this: I love a friends to lovers story. I bought the chemistry between Evie and Theo and I was rooting for them for a bit of the story. A little more than half way through, Evie started to bother me, specifically in her treatment of Theo. Her character development surrounding her Crohn’s disease and her love of foley were amazing. I felt like I was learning more about the art of foley as I read and it was such a fun journey to go on with Evie. Theo’s love of teaching and commitment to creating a fun curriculum made him such a lovable character. These things eventually were overshadowed by Evie’s selfishness and complete inability to let Theo make his own decisions. It was redeemed a little bit at the end and I really enjoyed the ending, but a good chunk of the last half of the book had me questioning if I even wanted Evie and Theo together. Evie talks so much about how her mom fucked her up only to end up like her.
HOWEVER. I really did enjoy the way this was written and the jumping between timelines was really well done, in my opinion. Theo was a great character and I loved reading about him. He deserved to be treated better!! I’ll definitely give her other books a try as this was a good book, Evie just irritated me a bit.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and Celadon Books for the ARC!
HOWEVER. I really did enjoy the way this was written and the jumping between timelines was really well done, in my opinion. Theo was a great character and I loved reading about him. He deserved to be treated better!! I’ll definitely give her other books a try as this was a good book, Evie just irritated me a bit.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and Celadon Books for the ARC!
Currently reading
April 27, 202562% - it’s not bad. I think it’s just not for me. This is a YA author writing an adult romance and I feel like this book is stuck in limbo between the 2 worlds. The steam also feels like a little much for me. I do love a good spicy romance but not with so much…verbiage 🥴
36% - Is it me? Am I the problem? 🤷🏻♀️� This is fine. It's fine. Another book I wish I had peeked at the reviews for before requesting though.
36% - Is it me? Am I the problem? 🤷🏻♀️� This is fine. It's fine. Another book I wish I had peeked at the reviews for before requesting though.
April 4, 2025
Overall, 4 stars, this book gave me Abby Jimenez vibes. It was really close to 4.5 stars BUT I strongly dislike third person POV books (personal option). I love the friends to lovers trope and the story between Theo and Evie was so sweet. The friendship between Theo and Evie grew so organically and I loved their mutual respect and care for each other. What I really enjoyed about the book were the character development, the side characters, Theo and Evie's backstories, the humor (especially Theo's students <3), and how caring and observant Theo was.
If you liked Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez, you will probably like this one. It gave me similar vibes.
Format: audiobook
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this advanced audiobook!
*Dual POV - third person
*Friends to lovers
*Childhood trauma
*Marriage of convenience
*Chronic illness
If you liked Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez, you will probably like this one. It gave me similar vibes.
Format: audiobook
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this advanced audiobook!
*Dual POV - third person
*Friends to lovers
*Childhood trauma
*Marriage of convenience
*Chronic illness
February 7, 2025
4.5 rounded up. This is one of the best executions of friends to lovers I’ve read. The small moments and shared memories are done so well, you really feel that these two have been through it and know the other one at their core. I think the third act dragged just a smidge, and I didn’t love how much Evie pushed away, but the background for her character did make that make sense. Bonus love for the Raise Your Voice reference—talk about a severely underrated movie. All in all such a great read!
April 3, 2025
Confirmed: Hot girls have tummy issues. Love the chronic disability rep. Totally related to FMC having to break (literally) before medical community would take her pain seriously and diagnose/treat her autoimmune disease. Doing all the tests and hearing “everything is normal� is unbelievably frustrating, these people have clearly never shit their pants and it shows. With Theo’s mom dealing the similar issue, well it’s no wonder he goes above and beyond to care for Evie. The commentary of our dystopic health care system here in ‘merica was spot on.
Now for the love story…if you like imperfect characters, piss poor timing, and even worse emotional intelligence, this book will fit the mark. These two knuckleheads will make you want to reach in and shake them, but also give them big ole hugs. 💚
Thank you Net Galley and Macmillan audio for the ARC.
Now for the love story…if you like imperfect characters, piss poor timing, and even worse emotional intelligence, this book will fit the mark. These two knuckleheads will make you want to reach in and shake them, but also give them big ole hugs. 💚
Thank you Net Galley and Macmillan audio for the ARC.
April 11, 2025
A super fluffy & predictable read. The title says it all with not a super lot going on� hea, he falls first, friends to lovers, forced proximity - all the fun feeling tropes. Thank you @netgalley for my audiobook arc!
March 2, 2025
Thanks to Celadon Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Anyone who knows me, knows #friendstolovers is my favorite trope. I just LOVE it!
Stefan and Caroline happen to be one of my favorite examples of this, after #mondler (Monica and Chandler) in #Friends.
Well, move over, Steroline and Mondler! Because we've got Thevelyn or...Eveo!
Point is, this book had me ALL IN MY FEELS, FOR REAL. And if Theo were real, whew! He was *the* love interest.
Theo and Evelyn (Evie, pronounced Eh-vee) have been best friends since childhood, facing dual crises in their lives.
Theo's roommates announce their moving out, and because of certain rent stipulations, he is ineligible to stay in the apartment solo.
Evelyn is a Foley artist (the magicians behind the sounds in movies and TV shows), who is presented with an opportunity to do a prestigious fellowship and finally get some legit experience and possible recognition for her passion. However, Evie, has Crohn's disease, and needs health insurance to literally live and function.
Does she stick with her current full-time job with bennies, continue to feel drained, under-appreciated, and stuck?
Well, after Evie is suddenly faced with her own housing crisis, the besties realize that two heads are better than one- marriage-style.
Theo and Evie get married to solve their problems--- score the apartment, pursue the fellowship, while not losing benefits since being married to Theo, she's on in his insurance.
Easy-peasy, right?
NOPE.
Turns out, good health insurance is not the only benefit.
This book has EVERYTHING:
*witty banter
*chronic illness rep
*gut-wrenching romance
*great supporting characters
*a great premise, with great execution
*an HEA
5-star rating, for sure. I absolutely fell in love with Eveo and their journey. How deep their friendship was, how solid the foundation they built, their support of each other, how in sync they were. JUST AMAZING! Go get it!
Anyone who knows me, knows #friendstolovers is my favorite trope. I just LOVE it!
Stefan and Caroline happen to be one of my favorite examples of this, after #mondler (Monica and Chandler) in #Friends.
Well, move over, Steroline and Mondler! Because we've got Thevelyn or...Eveo!
Point is, this book had me ALL IN MY FEELS, FOR REAL. And if Theo were real, whew! He was *the* love interest.
Theo and Evelyn (Evie, pronounced Eh-vee) have been best friends since childhood, facing dual crises in their lives.
Theo's roommates announce their moving out, and because of certain rent stipulations, he is ineligible to stay in the apartment solo.
Evelyn is a Foley artist (the magicians behind the sounds in movies and TV shows), who is presented with an opportunity to do a prestigious fellowship and finally get some legit experience and possible recognition for her passion. However, Evie, has Crohn's disease, and needs health insurance to literally live and function.
Does she stick with her current full-time job with bennies, continue to feel drained, under-appreciated, and stuck?
Well, after Evie is suddenly faced with her own housing crisis, the besties realize that two heads are better than one- marriage-style.
Theo and Evie get married to solve their problems--- score the apartment, pursue the fellowship, while not losing benefits since being married to Theo, she's on in his insurance.
Easy-peasy, right?
NOPE.
Turns out, good health insurance is not the only benefit.
This book has EVERYTHING:
*witty banter
*chronic illness rep
*gut-wrenching romance
*great supporting characters
*a great premise, with great execution
*an HEA
5-star rating, for sure. I absolutely fell in love with Eveo and their journey. How deep their friendship was, how solid the foundation they built, their support of each other, how in sync they were. JUST AMAZING! Go get it!
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April 17, 2025thank you netgalley & celadon books for the arc in exchange for an honest review!
a huge reason for my dislike of this book has to be that i did not vibe with the writing style, and that’s okay because even though it did not work for me, it might work for others. it was not the third pov that bothered me though (just to clear that up).
the premise of this book is good. i love marriage-of-convenience and friends-to-loves! however, evie’s inner monologues are another aspect of this book that felt unbearable and exhausting for me to read. as always, i recommend people to try this book because you may end up liking it even if i didn’t.
a huge reason for my dislike of this book has to be that i did not vibe with the writing style, and that’s okay because even though it did not work for me, it might work for others. it was not the third pov that bothered me though (just to clear that up).
the premise of this book is good. i love marriage-of-convenience and friends-to-loves! however, evie’s inner monologues are another aspect of this book that felt unbearable and exhausting for me to read. as always, i recommend people to try this book because you may end up liking it even if i didn’t.
March 21, 2025
I really enjoyed this childhood friends to lovers, marriage of convenience for health benefits romance that has bisexual dancer Evie and Jewish teacher Theo agreeing to get married so Evie can benefit from Theo's health insurance.
Treating Evie's Crohn's is expensive and on a dancer's wages she often struggles to pay. When Theo offers to marry Evie things start to heat up as they spend more and more time together. I loved the flashbacks to their past, the diversity and disability rep (Evie's Crohn's and chronic pain) and the excellent grief and mental health rep (Theo lost his mother to cancer and has anxiety).
This was also great on audio narrated by Gail Shalan and GM Hakim. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review! This is perfect for fans of other marriage for health benefits/insurance books like Would you rather by Allison Ashley, In your eyes by Molly McCarthy, Before us by Jewel E. Ann or Our ride to forever by Julie Olivia.
Treating Evie's Crohn's is expensive and on a dancer's wages she often struggles to pay. When Theo offers to marry Evie things start to heat up as they spend more and more time together. I loved the flashbacks to their past, the diversity and disability rep (Evie's Crohn's and chronic pain) and the excellent grief and mental health rep (Theo lost his mother to cancer and has anxiety).
This was also great on audio narrated by Gail Shalan and GM Hakim. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review! This is perfect for fans of other marriage for health benefits/insurance books like Would you rather by Allison Ashley, In your eyes by Molly McCarthy, Before us by Jewel E. Ann or Our ride to forever by Julie Olivia.
February 11, 2025
I got to read this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
In the spirit of honesty, I have to say that the beginning of this book almost made me DNF it. The writing felt very Wattpad-ish, but I did already like the characters, so I continued. There was some repetition of a piece of the story that irked me a bit, but I think it was just the author trying to show the other characters perspective? Overall, it was just the former English major in me that struggled in the beginning. That being said, I know that I need to bear in mind that I read an ARC, so I’m not sure how different the final version will be.
I ended up really loving the story and the characters, especially the focus on her invisible illness and insurance struggles. The characters, romance (and spice) were written well and I appreciate the realness of the story.
In the spirit of honesty, I have to say that the beginning of this book almost made me DNF it. The writing felt very Wattpad-ish, but I did already like the characters, so I continued. There was some repetition of a piece of the story that irked me a bit, but I think it was just the author trying to show the other characters perspective? Overall, it was just the former English major in me that struggled in the beginning. That being said, I know that I need to bear in mind that I read an ARC, so I’m not sure how different the final version will be.
I ended up really loving the story and the characters, especially the focus on her invisible illness and insurance struggles. The characters, romance (and spice) were written well and I appreciate the realness of the story.
April 22, 2025
Friends with Benefits is Marisa Kanter’s debut adult novel and I’ll definitely be reading more!
What I loved:
1. I love childhood-best-friends-to-lovers books and this one did the trope so much justice! From the flashbacks in their youth to both having had feelings for the other at different points in their lives but pushed them down, this trope was explored wonderfully and to its full potential!
I loved that they truly would do anything for one another, even if it meant sacrificing something of their own.
2. This book was chalked FULL of amazing representations! Crohn’s disease, anxiety, depression, grief, abandonment, navigating the death of a family member years later, and both characters in therapy, it really felt like reality as opposed to a fluffy little romance book where all the characters had no issues. These were like real people with real circumstances they were navigating, and it was wonderful.
3. I loved the range of “bad people� in the story. From Evie’s mom who never redeemed herself despite being given chances to, to Theo’s dad who had a lot of undesirable characteristics that weren’t OK’d by the author but were given reasonings behind and did redeem himself a tad bit. I loved that these minor characters weren’t chalked up to just bad because they were awful at one point in time, but they were given the opportunity to grow a bit, some taking it and some not; this is reality sometimes.
4. I really enjoyed Evie’s fellowship with Sadie and Charlie. It was fun to watch them kinda become a close unit themselves, and I loved the undertone of burn down the patriarchy present.
5. I really enjoyed the moments we saw of Imogen, Evie’s sister. I would totally read a spin off book of hers! She’s fun and has always had Evie to help her through, so I would love to see her push forward into adulthood even more without the help of her sister and truly blossom even more!
Thank you to Celadon Books for the gifted copy of this book. The thoughts and opinions expressed above are honest and my own.
What I loved:
1. I love childhood-best-friends-to-lovers books and this one did the trope so much justice! From the flashbacks in their youth to both having had feelings for the other at different points in their lives but pushed them down, this trope was explored wonderfully and to its full potential!
I loved that they truly would do anything for one another, even if it meant sacrificing something of their own.
2. This book was chalked FULL of amazing representations! Crohn’s disease, anxiety, depression, grief, abandonment, navigating the death of a family member years later, and both characters in therapy, it really felt like reality as opposed to a fluffy little romance book where all the characters had no issues. These were like real people with real circumstances they were navigating, and it was wonderful.
3. I loved the range of “bad people� in the story. From Evie’s mom who never redeemed herself despite being given chances to, to Theo’s dad who had a lot of undesirable characteristics that weren’t OK’d by the author but were given reasonings behind and did redeem himself a tad bit. I loved that these minor characters weren’t chalked up to just bad because they were awful at one point in time, but they were given the opportunity to grow a bit, some taking it and some not; this is reality sometimes.
4. I really enjoyed Evie’s fellowship with Sadie and Charlie. It was fun to watch them kinda become a close unit themselves, and I loved the undertone of burn down the patriarchy present.
5. I really enjoyed the moments we saw of Imogen, Evie’s sister. I would totally read a spin off book of hers! She’s fun and has always had Evie to help her through, so I would love to see her push forward into adulthood even more without the help of her sister and truly blossom even more!
Thank you to Celadon Books for the gifted copy of this book. The thoughts and opinions expressed above are honest and my own.
March 25, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to Friends with Benefits!
This audiobook was such a delightful experience—equal parts fun, heartfelt, and deeply relatable. The narration was fantastic, bringing the characters to life with warmth and personality, making their chemistry and emotional journeys even more immersive.
One of the standout aspects of this story was its thoughtful representation of health struggles. It’s always refreshing to see characters navigating real-life challenges, especially when it’s done with such care and authenticity. Too often, these perspectives have been absent from romance, and it was wonderful to see them explored here in a way that felt genuine and deeply moving.
That said, the book did feel a little juvenile at times, especially in certain dialogue and character interactions. While the lighthearted tone made for an easy listen, there were moments where the emotional depth could have been explored further.
Beyond that, the romance was swoon-worthy, the banter sharp and engaging, and the emotional beats hit just the right notes. This is the kind of story that makes you laugh, makes you feel, and ultimately leaves you with a full heart.
If you love audiobooks that bring romance to life with humor, depth, and fantastic narration, Friends with Benefits is a must-listen!
This audiobook was such a delightful experience—equal parts fun, heartfelt, and deeply relatable. The narration was fantastic, bringing the characters to life with warmth and personality, making their chemistry and emotional journeys even more immersive.
One of the standout aspects of this story was its thoughtful representation of health struggles. It’s always refreshing to see characters navigating real-life challenges, especially when it’s done with such care and authenticity. Too often, these perspectives have been absent from romance, and it was wonderful to see them explored here in a way that felt genuine and deeply moving.
That said, the book did feel a little juvenile at times, especially in certain dialogue and character interactions. While the lighthearted tone made for an easy listen, there were moments where the emotional depth could have been explored further.
Beyond that, the romance was swoon-worthy, the banter sharp and engaging, and the emotional beats hit just the right notes. This is the kind of story that makes you laugh, makes you feel, and ultimately leaves you with a full heart.
If you love audiobooks that bring romance to life with humor, depth, and fantastic narration, Friends with Benefits is a must-listen!
April 18, 2025
“Friends with Benefits� by Marisa Canter is an adorable contemporary romance with a marriage of convenience between childhood best friends who slowly fall in love. I loved the playful banter—it brought so much charm to the story! Beyond the romance, the book also touched on the challenges of living with a chronic illness and the frustrating realities of accessing healthcare, which added depth and heart. The male lead is an elementary school teacher, and his character was an absolute joy—a really realistic and respectful portrayal of what it’s like working with kids. This was such a heartfelt and enjoyable read. Big thanks to Celadon Books for the gifted ARC!�
April 6, 2025
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.
April 2, 2025
So this is the first time I have ever used this term about a book and in fact, I had to search to find a descriptor. Over-inclusion. I get what the author was trying to do here and I respect characters having underlying health difficulties as a main characteristic, but this book was trying too hard to represent multiple issues and there were so many pop culture references. It was a lot to manage as a reader. Maybe this would appeal to younger readers better.
The main character of Evie is not that likable and she's quite immature for the age she is stated to be at 28. I found her frustrating. I tried to go with the flow and not judge the "romance" which didn't feel all that romantic to me. It felt forced, like maybe these two had enough of trying with others and went for the familiarity out of codependency and convenience. I wasn't feeling it.
I had the audiobook version and I must give kudos to GM Hakim as he was the better narrator. Gail Shalon's narration was just ok. But I did enjoy the multiple cast narration, it helped with the story.
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC!
The main character of Evie is not that likable and she's quite immature for the age she is stated to be at 28. I found her frustrating. I tried to go with the flow and not judge the "romance" which didn't feel all that romantic to me. It felt forced, like maybe these two had enough of trying with others and went for the familiarity out of codependency and convenience. I wasn't feeling it.
I had the audiobook version and I must give kudos to GM Hakim as he was the better narrator. Gail Shalon's narration was just ok. But I did enjoy the multiple cast narration, it helped with the story.
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC!
March 12, 2025
Thank you, Celadon Books, Marisa Kanter, and NetGalley for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately, I DNF’d this at 6%. I am all for books sharing a political point of view that is personal to oneself, but when that opinion is made abundantly clear in less than two chapters it’s too much for me. The characters just seemed like I would not enjoy them, since much effort went into discussing the root of issues, other than possibly oneself. I don’t like that. I’m not going to take my free time to read that.
However, if you are a politically active individual who shares this authors politics, you’ll probably read this and enjoy it. I just prefer to escape reality with my books, not be inundated with it.
Unfortunately, I DNF’d this at 6%. I am all for books sharing a political point of view that is personal to oneself, but when that opinion is made abundantly clear in less than two chapters it’s too much for me. The characters just seemed like I would not enjoy them, since much effort went into discussing the root of issues, other than possibly oneself. I don’t like that. I’m not going to take my free time to read that.
However, if you are a politically active individual who shares this authors politics, you’ll probably read this and enjoy it. I just prefer to escape reality with my books, not be inundated with it.
June 25, 2024
I’ve probably never loved a romance like I’ve loved this one.
February 2, 2025
Friends With Benefits was a great story that grabbed my interest from the very beginning and held it all the way through. That’s saying something, because normally I struggle with third person present tense, and in this book I barely even noticed it. Although the romance was fun to read, what I enjoyed most about this was how the storyline prioritizes representation. Evie is a bisexual Jewish woman with a chronic illness, attempting to move forward in her career while navigating endless healthcare and insurance obstacles. Theo is a Jewish public school teacher, struggling with grief and anxiety while attempting to create positive changes in the education system. They get married as a way to support each other (Evie is able to get on Theo’s insurance, and Theo is able to meet the income requirement on his apartment lease), but of course they soon realize that their marriage might be out of convenience, but that doesn’t mean the love isn’t real.
I loved reading about both of the main characters� jobs. I’m also a teacher, and a lot of times it can be frustrating to read about teacher characters because they aren’t portrayed realistically. However, I thought the descriptions of Theo’s teaching, students, and classroom dynamic were really relatable. I laughed so hard when he played 1985 as a classroom management tool - that would work with my students too. I also thought Evie’s job was really interesting! I was unfamiliar with Foley before reading this book, and it was fun to learn a little about what goes on behind the scenes in filmmaking.
***This next part may be a slight spoiler, skip this paragraph if you want to avoid!***
My only (tiny) complaint is that it contains a third act you know what, and it’s a frustrating one. I became slightly irritated with Evie, especially when even she realized she was creating a problem where there really wasn’t one, but kept it up anyway. However, I did appreciate that their issues were based on more than just a miscommunication, and I was happy with how it all worked out in the end.
Overall, I thought this was a very well done romance, and I already miss the characters. I’ll definitely be recommending it.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Celadon Books for letting me read this arc!
I loved reading about both of the main characters� jobs. I’m also a teacher, and a lot of times it can be frustrating to read about teacher characters because they aren’t portrayed realistically. However, I thought the descriptions of Theo’s teaching, students, and classroom dynamic were really relatable. I laughed so hard when he played 1985 as a classroom management tool - that would work with my students too. I also thought Evie’s job was really interesting! I was unfamiliar with Foley before reading this book, and it was fun to learn a little about what goes on behind the scenes in filmmaking.
***This next part may be a slight spoiler, skip this paragraph if you want to avoid!***
My only (tiny) complaint is that it contains a third act you know what, and it’s a frustrating one. I became slightly irritated with Evie, especially when even she realized she was creating a problem where there really wasn’t one, but kept it up anyway. However, I did appreciate that their issues were based on more than just a miscommunication, and I was happy with how it all worked out in the end.
Overall, I thought this was a very well done romance, and I already miss the characters. I’ll definitely be recommending it.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Celadon Books for letting me read this arc!
April 16, 2025
***watch out for possible spoilers***
Seriously loved this one! If you know me, you know I'm a sucker for the marriage of convenience trope, and Friends with Benefits totally delivered. Sometimes the reasons behind those fake marriages can feel a little flimsy, but I thought the setup in this book was really well done and felt genuinely believable.
Evie's job as a Foley Artist was so interesting and unique! I also really appreciated the thoughtful representation of chronic illness. The author didn't shy away from showing the real challenges of navigating healthcare and insurance, which added a great layer of depth to Evie's character.
Theo was just the sweetest. The way he knew all of Evie's dietary restrictions and could read her pain cues was honestly the most heartwarming thing about him. It was so clear he'd been in love with her for ages. Plus, his interactions with his students were hilarious (those kids were so funny)! The "1985" trick to quiet them down was genius.
I'm usually not a fan of third-act breakups because they often feel forced by miscommunication. But while I was internally screaming, "No! You love each other!", I was actually surprised that this one felt more grounded. The book did a good job of highlighting the past trauma both characters carried, making their conflict feel like a realistic (though still frustrating!) hurdle they had to overcome. My only minor quibble is that the reconciliation felt like it took just a little too long.
Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon Books for letting me read this ARC!
Seriously loved this one! If you know me, you know I'm a sucker for the marriage of convenience trope, and Friends with Benefits totally delivered. Sometimes the reasons behind those fake marriages can feel a little flimsy, but I thought the setup in this book was really well done and felt genuinely believable.
Evie's job as a Foley Artist was so interesting and unique! I also really appreciated the thoughtful representation of chronic illness. The author didn't shy away from showing the real challenges of navigating healthcare and insurance, which added a great layer of depth to Evie's character.
Theo was just the sweetest. The way he knew all of Evie's dietary restrictions and could read her pain cues was honestly the most heartwarming thing about him. It was so clear he'd been in love with her for ages. Plus, his interactions with his students were hilarious (those kids were so funny)! The "1985" trick to quiet them down was genius.
I'm usually not a fan of third-act breakups because they often feel forced by miscommunication. But while I was internally screaming, "No! You love each other!", I was actually surprised that this one felt more grounded. The book did a good job of highlighting the past trauma both characters carried, making their conflict feel like a realistic (though still frustrating!) hurdle they had to overcome. My only minor quibble is that the reconciliation felt like it took just a little too long.
Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon Books for letting me read this ARC!
April 12, 2025
FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS is Nora Ephron's situational comedic reality meets Rainbow Rowell's raw emotional intensity. Evelyn and Theo's journey through grief and trauma, and the nightmares of the American health care system felt like a therapeutic shout. It refused to mask how much of life is affected by chronic illness. How grief is a weight carried long after the traumatic event. And still. Joy is found in connection, passions are pursed, and love can soothe.
I appreciate Kanter flavoring Evelyn and Theo's friends to lovers romance with drama. Their falling in love wasn't soft or inevitable. Evelyn battles abandonment trauma and pushes love away before it can leave her. Theo has put the needs of others ahead of his own for so long that he struggles to advocate for himself. Together they've been in a "right person, wrong time" loop since they were teens. But through the mess of life, whether they're pushing or pulling too hard to maintain a platonic relationship, they are absolutely each other's Ride Or Die.
You're picking up FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS for the marriage of convenience between lifelong friends, and you'll get affirmation that you deserve joy and fulfillment during a health crisis. During any stage of grief. That healing looks like treating yourself to a day at Disneyland. That you can fall and you are worthy of support and patience to get back up.
Thank you Netgalley and Celadon Books for an advance digital copy to read and review.
I appreciate Kanter flavoring Evelyn and Theo's friends to lovers romance with drama. Their falling in love wasn't soft or inevitable. Evelyn battles abandonment trauma and pushes love away before it can leave her. Theo has put the needs of others ahead of his own for so long that he struggles to advocate for himself. Together they've been in a "right person, wrong time" loop since they were teens. But through the mess of life, whether they're pushing or pulling too hard to maintain a platonic relationship, they are absolutely each other's Ride Or Die.
You're picking up FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS for the marriage of convenience between lifelong friends, and you'll get affirmation that you deserve joy and fulfillment during a health crisis. During any stage of grief. That healing looks like treating yourself to a day at Disneyland. That you can fall and you are worthy of support and patience to get back up.
Thank you Netgalley and Celadon Books for an advance digital copy to read and review.
January 30, 2025
This was a cute read that was both a romance, story about grief and living with chronic illness. The fmc has Crohn's Disease and has to deal with the healthcare and insurance system along with having to put a hold on her dreams because of it. The mmc is the fmc's friend who is a school teacher who is still dealing with the grief of losing his mother. They both agree to become roommates and marry for insurance reasons which leads to the friends with the benefits aspect as mentioned in the title.
This was low steam that focused more on the emotional and character development aspect which I quite liked. I loved the Jewish rep and all the threads that were explored in this book. There are some flashbacks and though I did think the third-act breakup was a bit dramatic I liked this book and would recommend it. Thank you, Celadon for this arc.
Read for:
- Friends to lovers
- Roomated to lovers
- Friends with Benefits
- Jewish mcs
- Crohn's disease rep
- Grief
This was low steam that focused more on the emotional and character development aspect which I quite liked. I loved the Jewish rep and all the threads that were explored in this book. There are some flashbacks and though I did think the third-act breakup was a bit dramatic I liked this book and would recommend it. Thank you, Celadon for this arc.
Read for:
- Friends to lovers
- Roomated to lovers
- Friends with Benefits
- Jewish mcs
- Crohn's disease rep
- Grief
April 9, 2025
⭐️ 5/5 ⭐️ releases May 6, 2025
Reeeeaalllly loved this one. It was a perfect friends-to-lovers, super quirky and loveable characters, a sweet and easy-to-follow plot with the perfect amount of heartstrings. This would be a great romcom movie lol. I actually shed real tears at the end but in a super cheesy way. I just really devoured this and I can’t wait for it to come out!!
Reeeeaalllly loved this one. It was a perfect friends-to-lovers, super quirky and loveable characters, a sweet and easy-to-follow plot with the perfect amount of heartstrings. This would be a great romcom movie lol. I actually shed real tears at the end but in a super cheesy way. I just really devoured this and I can’t wait for it to come out!!
Shelved as 'dnf'
April 22, 2025DNF @ 6%
I just don't have the emotional bandwidth for books with heavy current social/political themes.
I just don't have the emotional bandwidth for books with heavy current social/political themes.
April 1, 2025
Fun quick cute read. FYI the author’s “political view� referenced in other reviews is the idea that people should be able to afford treatment for their chronic illnesses.
March 31, 2025
My entire review is this: Evie sucks
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