I love a good friends to lovers story. This one foot the bill, but it seemed a bit all over the place. There were a lot of lovers. There were a lot of issues....health, insurance, housing, family, mind, etc. I didn't dislike the book, but also didn't love it. I did enjoy the Survivor references because I am a fan. I will definitely give this author's next book a try. I liked the writing style. It was just a bit too long.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book. This is my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon Books for providing the ARC.

Oh this book hurt in the most amazing way.

Evie and Theo are each other's person, but their pasts and experiences have shaped them, for better or for worse. And when they enter into a marriage of convenience to ensure that Evie has health insurance for her chronic illness while pursuing her dream job, the lines are blurred and all of those long-buried truths become loud and insistent.

This book was so well executed. I normally don't like it when lifelong friends become lovers because it almost always ends up with a lack communication. But when it's executed well, and their behaviors and reasoning align, then it makes sense. Both Evie and Theo have had past experiences and upbringing shape them into the people who don't know how to communicate well, or even emote properly when faced with the hard emotions. And because of that, they bury their mutual feelings for each other down deep.

I found myself being drawn both to Evie and to Theo for different reasons. I could see myself in both of them, and that made the story all the more amazing to me. The prose also helps in that it can be very stream of consciousness at points and you can really get into the characters' heads. Such a masterfully crafted story.

Definitely looking out for more from this author.

Starts off cringey. Instantly talking about GI issues, financial issues, chronic illness, and meeting zendaya in 3 pages is a lot. I have to admit that I didn’t end up finishing the book. I really struggled to get into it and kept putting it down. I didn’t like Evies attitude or the way she acted about her circumstances. It felt really young and immature, borderline insufferably woke. I think the idea is there but it needs refinement.

**thank you NetGalley and Celadon books for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review**

📚: Friends with Benefits by Marisa Kanter
⭐️: 3.5/5 (rounding down on #goodreads)

Evie & Theo - dance partners as children, best friends since forever.

When Evie gets a fellowship opportunity, her heart breaks when she realizes it doesn’t include health insurance coverage — a necessary for her as a patient with Crohn’s disease. Meanwhile, Theo’s roommates drop the bomb that they’re moving out - and he needs to find a way to meet the income requirements to stay in his rental. The answer to both of their situations? Get married. Just because they’re married on paper doesn’t mean anything needs to change with their friendship. Right? Wrong.

This read was cute, and I wanted to like it more than I ultimately did. With a couple pacing issues that made parts feel laggy, a fairly big plot hole that I still can’t get around, and main characters that are hard to root for, this falls just average rom-com wise for me.

Thanks to Celadon Books via @netgalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. Friends with Benefits is out this week on 5/6!

This book was a plot that I found very interesting with these best friends getting married for convenience. I loved the chronicle illness representation as well as mental health support representation too. While the book was predictable with what you expected at points of the plot and with the ending, it was still a fun read.

Arc Review

Thank you, Celadon Books, for the copy of Friends with Benefits by Marisa Kanter.

Evie and Theo have been best friends since their first dance class together. They are there for each other through thick and thin. And “adulting” in L.A., things get thin. Evie needs access to healthcare to continue treating her Crohn’s and still be able to pursue her dream career in Foley. On a teacher’s salary, Theo can’t afford his apartment when his roommates move out. What are two besties in a tough spot supposed to do? Get married, of course!

Kanter has all the right ingredients for a charming, lovable rom-com for everyone to enjoy. While there are moments of gold, there are times when she seems to get stuck in the spiral of writing a modern romance in 2025, but also wants everyone to know her morals. I have no problem with her living by her moral code and wanting to write characters with the same worldview. Still, it was often enough that it went past painting a picture of who these people are.... More like waving a giant virtue signaling hand. In cases of calling out American healthcare and how difficult it is to navigate, as well as being gaslit by doctors as a woman with invisible pain, it was necessary and added meaningful impact to the story. Like we were told over and over again, how “misogynistic” Theo’s dad, Jacob, is, but not once were we ever shown him being misogynistic. He is gruff and not great at talking with his son through his grief, but that does not mean misogyny.

Overall, the novel was fine, the FMC and MMC were equally complex and flawed, and I think this will be really enjoyed by others, but maybe that wasn’t me, and that’s ok.

DNF. I got 26% through and was still getting confused about the 3rd person POV, if it was and omniscient 3rd person or a 3rd person that follows Evie's perspective or Theo's perspective. The plot seems compelling and I am curious to find out what happens, but the writing style was a bit distracting. I know others will enjoy the plot and the tropes.

Marisa Kanter's Friends with Benefits combines two of my most favorite tropes--friends to lovers and marriage of convenience. This book is so much more than a romance. It tackles chronic illness, absentee parents, and mental health all while weaving a love story.

Evie Bloom and Theo Cohen have been friends since her first day in Miss Stella's dance class. Evie Bloom is an aspiring Foley artist and Theo is an elementary school teacher. Evie gets an amazing opportunity that could make all of her film and television dreams come true, but there's a catch--there's no health insurance benefits, which are necessary for her as she lives with a chronic illness. Theo runs into a predicament of his own--his roommates are moving out and he needs a new roommate in order to be able to stay in the amazing rent-controlled apartment. To solve both of their problems, Theo proposes to Evie and after a bit of waffling, she says yes.

I loved every aspect of this book, but most especially the depiction of Evie and Theo's friendship. I also loved watching Evie and Theo go from friends to more and I'm a sucker for a good "f*ck it" moment. The ending was just perfect in my opinion and I cannot wait for others to read Friends with Benefits because I'm dying to yap with other about it!

Thank you Celdon Books for the e-ARC!

Evil and Theo have been friends since they were eight years old. Now in their late 20s, Theo is an elementary school teacher dealing with the loss of his mother and Evie is an aspiring Foley artist who instead is editing podcasts because the needs the healthcare benefits to live with her chronic autoimmune disease.

Evie is selected for an internship with Next in Foley—which will give her a working credit she needs to get into the union—that doesn’t offer benefits. Theo’s two roommates decide to move out of their shared rent-controlled apartment, leaving Theo unable to qualify for the lease on his own. The obvious solution is for Evie and Theo to get married so they can afford his apartment and she can have his health benefits and take the internship.

The story lines about healthcare and the cost of living, while not usual in a romance, are certainly part of real-life romance and should be part of the narrative. Theo is a great book boyfriend and definitely the teacher I would be lobbying to have for my kids. What kept me from loving Friends with Benefits was Evie. She was so self-centered and didn't appreciate what she had until it was almost too late.

Kanter’s writing is strong and I’ll give her next adult book a try.

Thanks to NetGalley and Celadon Books for an eARC. Opinions are my own.

So much more emotional than I was EXPECTING! I adore Theo and empathize with Evie. THE

This book though a friends to lovers, marriage of convenience romance, it’s also about the freeing ability of changing your mind and being comfortable with it as long as it's what you truly want.

So many feelings from laughter, to annoyance, to sadness, to “are you deada*@“

The rollercoaster of a book is like a lazy river water ride that starts shooting you forward and off the edge at a breakneck speed.

Also shout out to the neurodivergence, Chronic illness, and QUEER REP 😍😍

P.S The US healthcare system has always been and currently is still atrocious

This was so fun!

This is a dual POV romance (and that's always the best kind) that follows Evie and Theo. And they are lifelong best friends. (Evie is also a fellow chronic pain and chronic illness girlie.)

Evie gets into an artist fellowship and Theo "fake" proposes to Evie so that she can get on his health care plan. (Being married helps with some sort of requirement on his rental lease, that part didn't make a lot of sense to me, but I am not a lawyer, so I didn't care.)

I liked how deep this relationship was and how well that part of the story progressed. These characters were likable and felt like real people with real world problems, not just the lame romance novel problems you find in some other romance novels. These characters made mistakes, had human emotions and had to deal with real-life situations the way a normal and imperfect person would.

I now am definitely going to be looking into more books by this author and I might even reread this book sometime after it's published. I really enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it!

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My Goodreads review is up and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will be up at the end of the month with my monthly reading wrap-up.

This was a a book with really great representation with very realistic incorporation of living with an autoimmune disease and bisexuality. I especially, especially, loved that this story wasn’t about our FMC being bisexual, she just was and that’s all we needed to know. Our MMC was a top notch book boyfriend and I found myself rooting for him more often than our FMC. It was a tad too long for me with a lot of flashbacks that probably could have been told in a different way to reduce the amount of jumping around in time, but otherwise this was a very solid 3.5 for me!

At its core, this novel is a beautiful blend of a coming-of-age journey and a lighthearted yet meaningful romantic comedy. It explores themes of abandonment, self-worth, and the sometimes overwhelming desire to please others. Readers who have ever felt lost or overlooked will find pieces of themselves in Evie, while those who have shouldered the weight of making others happy will undoubtedly connect with Theo.
Evie’s struggles evoke frustration and empathy, while Theo’s charm and determination make him an endearing and authentic protagonist. His disappointment over the school rejecting his field trip feels all too familiar, adding another layer to his character. The chemistry between Evie and Theo unfolds naturally, making their relationship feel genuine and earned rather than contrived.
One of the book’s strongest aspects is its representation of life with an autoimmune disease—thoughtfully woven into the narrative in a way that feels authentic and relatable. Additionally, Theo shines as an unforgettable romantic lead, with a depth and devotion that make readers root for his happily-ever-after. Evelyn’s bisexuality is seamlessly incorporated, treated as a natural part of her character rather than a focal point of the plot, which is refreshing.
While the novel is a compelling read, some conflicts seem prolonged by simple miscommunication, making it frustrating at times. Evie, despite her years in therapy, doesn’t exhibit significant personal growth, leaving the impression that she is trapped in patterns of self-centered behavior. This occasionally makes her hard to sympathize with—especially in moments where Theo's care and concern are evident, but not reciprocated. Additionally, while the book hints at deeper romantic tension, certain intimate moments feel underdeveloped, leaving readers wanting more.
Despite these minor drawbacks, the novel successfully delivers a poignant story about navigating love, healing from past wounds, and finding happiness amid life’s uncertainties.
3.5/5

I would rate this book 2.5 stars. It’s just a very “mid” romance. I’m a fan of marriage-of-convenience stories, and have never read anything from this author, so I was excited to get this ARC from NetGalley.

Things I liked: The representation of someone living and navigating life with an autoimmune disease was relatable. Theo was a great book boyfriend, and I was rooting for him to get his happy ever after more than I was the FMC. I also like that Evelyn being bisexual wasn’t a storyline; it was just her relationships that were.

Things I didn’t like: The book was SO long. It didn’t need the flashbacks. I know their issues were influenced by previous traumas, but by 60% of the way through, I wanted them to get over themselves and figure their shit out. It felt like the author was putting them through unnecessary torture to extend the book. Evelyn has been in therapy since high school and felt no more evolved than when she was younger. Also, it felt like the spicy scenes wanted to be spicer and just got forgotten about.

Overall, it wasn’t a bad story, and I’m glad I finished it. The epilogue chapter was probably my favorite chapter because the author finally let the main characters’ minds rest and be in love.

I want to express my gratitude to Celadon Books, for providing this book for review consideration through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.

Friends With Benefits by Marisa Kanter is a witty, heartfelt friends-to-lovers romance that beautifully balances humor with emotional depth. Evie and Theo’s “marriage of convenience” is anything but simple, and their journey is filled with sharp banter, tender moments, and a refreshingly honest look at love and financial survival. Kanter’s characters are deeply relatable, and the slow-burn tension between Evie and Theo will have you rooting for them from the beginning. This is a smart, modern love story that proves sometimes the most logical decisions lead to the most unexpected—and wonderful—outcomes.

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC!

Evie and Theo are just friends. Sure they share their found family with each other, know each others triggers mental and physical, but also their hopes and dreams… Oh and just don’t talk about the incident in New York all those years ago. Or that one another time…

But when an honestly reasonable marriage of convenience (read: the hellscape that is American healthcare and late stage capitalism) pushes these two friends closer than ever before, lines start to blur.

The pining was epic, the way I was rooting for these two had me hooked until the very last sentence. A warm (but also hot!) romance with great LGBTQ and chronic health rep, add this to your TBR and thank me later.

This is a sweet, slightly spicy romance. Theo and Evie are best friends and former high school dance partners. Evie’s undiagnosed autoimmune disease flares and causes her to fall, breaking a bone that sidelined her dancing. Theo and Evie remain friends through college. Due to unforeseen circumstances, they end up in a situation where they end up married in order to afford an apartment and ensure that Evie can have health care while she takes on an internship that doesn’t come with benefits. But they both are attracted to each other and yet they are both carrying a lot of emotional baggage. Can this marriage be saved? You’ll need to read the book to find out!

Evelyn “Evie” Bloom and Theo Cohen have been best friends since meeting in a dance class at eight years old. They’ve seen each other through everything…injury, chronic illness, heartbreak and loss. No matter what life has thrown at them, they’ve found a way to support each other. And, with the most recent turn of events, they’re really going to need to lean on their friendship. Aspiring foley artist Evie has an unfulfilling job editing podcasts in order to have health insurance for her Crohn’s Disease. When she’s chosen for Next in Foley, a fellowship for new foley artists, she’s excited but devastated by the fact it does not offer insurance. To add to her stress, her grandparents are selling their bungalow where Evie has lived the last three years. Theo’s roommates are moving out, which means Evie can take the extra room, but they don’t make enough money to qualify for the apartment. They’re both in a lurch and out of luck until Theo comes up with a plan. They’ll get married! Their combined incomes and status as a married couple will allow them to keep the apartment and Theo’s job as a teacher comes with excellent benefits that include his spouse. This would allow Evie to have insurance and take the fellowship. It’s a win, win! But their marriage of convenience quickly becomes very inconvenient as they both realize their feelings might extend beyond friendship. Can their relationship turn into something more or will their years long friendship be destroyed?

Friends with Benefits, Marisa Kanter’s adult debut, is as well crafted and smartly written as her young adult novels. It’s emotional and angsty, beautiful, and sweet. The reader can’t help but become invested in Evie and Theo and their abiding friendship. Kanter has a talent for delving deep into her characters and their motivations. They have depth and dimension. Evie is so real and raw. You don’t always like her and the decisions she makes, but you definitely understand where she’s coming from. You don’t always like your friends, but you still love them in spite of their faults and foibles. Evie’s messiness is so intrinsically human, you can’t help but empathize with her. Theo is Evie’s perfect complement. He’s solid and grounded and more confident in the way he moves through the world around him. But his past hurts and losses help him understand and sympathize with Evie. Friends with Benefits is a journey of discovery, healing and realizing that the perfect person for you has been right under your nose all along.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for inviting me to read this book. This would not have been a book I picked for myself because one of the tropes I hate in romance books is when two people have been friends for a long time and they both love each other but never tell each other right away which leads to miscommunication. If they had just communicated properly from the get go... however I digress. This book is well written, the characters are fully fleshed out and three dimensional, and the book ends the way you think it does. This was not one of my favorite romance books. The hyper specific descriptions of the food kind of threw me out of the story, and while I know that is important because of the main female character, it slowed down my reading of the book. 3.5 out of 5 stars. Also the over use of the word obviously didn't help things.

DNF

Friends to lovers is my favorite trope and I also love a marriage of convenience story. Unfortunately, this book was just not working for me. I had a hard time with the tone of the book and characters’ voices.