Evelyn (Evie) and her sister Imogen (Gen) were left as children, first by their father and then later by their mother. Evie and Theo have been best friends since meeting in dance class as young children. Evie's dream had been to dance but an injury at a dance competition put an end to that career choice and brought about the discovery that Evie has Crohn's disease. Evie is now working in film doing foley and is selected for a fellowship which she didn't apply for. Theo had entered her name and she won. Theo's two roommates are moving out and he'll need to be married or make enough $$ with his income and a roommate's in order to stay in the rent controlled apartment. Theo suggests marrying so that they can live in his apartment, Evie can go on his insurance and quit her job to take the fellowship. Theo's always been IN love with Evie but will do the marriage keeping things as they always have been - mostly platonic. Good story.

Friends with Benefits was a funny and lighthearted romance book that follows Evie and Theo's journey. Evie is an aspiring artist who wants to attend her dream fellowship; however, that fellowship does not offer health insurance. Evie suffers from Crohn's disease, and she needs health insurance. Therefore, Theo offers to marry Evie, so that she could attend the fellowship, and he does not have to lose his apartment. Theo is a struggling elementary school teacher. Once Evie and Theo got married, sparks flew, and they got closer together.

Overall, I would give this book 3 stars. I liked Theo as a character; however, I disliked Evie as a character. I thought her character plot line was a little confusing. I thought the flashbacks throughout the book were also confusing, and the book overall could have been shorter. I liked the premise of the book though which is why I give it 3 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon Books for the free ARC in exchange for a review! Out now!

This book has a great premise and is a great summer read. Great disability/invisible illness rep here—and it is clear the author wrote the representation with an understanding of it. I also loved the Ginger Rogers/Fred Astaire/dance thread as well as learning about sound design. I loved the covert system the best friends have of communicating during work. I also thought the book does both the found family and friends to lovers tropes well. I look forward to reading more from this author!

Evie and Theo have been best friends since they first met in a dance studio when they were young. Evie's dream was to go to NYC and be a dancer; Theo's was to make changes in the education system. During high school, Evie struggles with pain but all of her medical tests come back normal. When she falls during a dance with Theo, they discover that she has Crohn's disease. She manages to pivot her life dream to becoming a Foley artist. Theo, racked with guilt for her fall, tries to change his plans to stay in CA but she pushes him to New York. He returns when his mother's cancer returns and their friendship picks up right where it left off. When Evie's forced to move out of her grandparents' home and gets an offer for a Foley fellowship, she has two major problems: 1) somewhere to live and 2) she has to turn down the fellowship since it doesn't come with insurance. At the same time, Theo's roommates are moving out to buy a place but as a teacher, he doesn't make the required salary of rent x3 to stay. Yet, if he and Evie marry, they can combine their current incomes to meet the requirement and Evie would get health insurance. Win-win!

The story is told from both Evie's and Theo's POVs and have "alt chapters" that are flashbacks. I really liked Theo, especially his teaching style. Evie; however, annoyed me. For someone in therapy, she's really good at ignoring/refusing to talk about things that happen and/or his feelings. I'm not expecting that therapy would magically make her fully embrace her feelings and talk about them, but not confronting the things with Theo and her mother that keep repeating seems unrealistic. The problems with America's health care system, especially the lack of listing to women about their bodies, was covered incredibly well. Overall, I enjoyed the story.

Thank you to Celadon Books for the advance reader copy of Friends with Benefits by Marisa Kanter.

Theo and Evie have been best friends for a long time. Evie lives with a chronic illness and when she gets an incredible opportunity for her career, it turns out to not include health insurance. Theo, a school teacher, ends up in need of a roommate when his suddenly moves out. A marriage of convenience would help each of them.

Evie and Theo are sweet together. I liked getting to experience past and present moments of their friendship. I think the yearning between these two will stick with me the most after reading this story. It’s evident the feelings these two have for each other as they’ve navigated their friendship and then must navigate their feelings once they enter a marriage of convenience.

If you enjoy a friends to lovers, marriage of convenience romance, this is one to check out!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.

I was definitely very excited to get a free copy of this book to read, only to be disappointed when it didn't quite live up to the hype (for me!). One thing I don't really enjoy in books is references to modern trends that readers ten years from now won't understand at all. Right from the beginning, there was so much of it I almost didn't want to finish. I did end up pushing through and I'm glad I did, but oof I didn't enjoy that specific writing choice. If that's not something that bothers you, read on! There are lots of fun tropes and some really great disability rep in this book.

Evie Bloom has dreams of bring a successful Foley artist—and that looks like it might be within reach when she gets accepted to a prestigious Foley fellowship. But she can't accept the position because her Chron's disease makes health insurance essential, and the fellowship doesn't come with benefits. But you know who has excellent benefits? Evie's best friend, Theo Cohen, a teacher who is struggling himself when his roommates suddenly move out and he needs to find a way to meet the apartment's salary requirements keep his rent-controlled apartment. But what if Evie and Theo get married? That would seemingly solve everyone's problems—Evie can get Theo's health insurance and Theo can use Evie's salary to meet the salary requirements to keep his rent-controlled apartment. But with a friendship that goes back to when they were eight, and some unresolved feelings from both parties, will Evie and Theo finally take their friendship to the next level, or will it crumble?

When I started this book, I thought I was going to hate it. I thought it was going to be filled with super technical Foley-related themes. But I was wrong. Evie's love of Foley was definitely woven throughout the book, but it was not super technical, and it was not really a feature of the book. I actually really loved Evie and Theo's story. I like the dual POVs and the flashbacks to their history together. I loved Theo's class kids and the banter between Evie and Theo. But I also loved Theo's tenderness and Evie's vulnerability. This was a sweet story about friends turned lovers, with a mix of economic realities and a bit of spice. I really enjoyed this one and look forward to reading more from Marisa Kanter.

Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon Books for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately this one was a little slow for me and i struggled with it a little, in saying that the book is very well written and I will definitely be reading more from the author.

Just wasn't for me i'm afraid

I received "Friends with Benefits" by Marisa Kanter for free in exchange for my honest review through NetGalley. I have to say, I love a good friends-to-lovers trope. This one did not disappoint. Was it predicable? Yes. Was it enjoyable? Also yes. Will I read more by this author? Absolutely. Theo is pretty great in this book! Enjoy!

I am a HUGE rom-com lover. If I'm not reading thrillers, I want a book that has me cackling and swooning over the characters. Unfortunately, the characters in this one fell a little flat for me. While I loved the premise of the book, the marriage of convenience, the storyline, I just didn't fall in love with it like I wanted to. At times, it was a bit slow to me, but overall, cute. I would be interested to read books by this author in the future though!

I was really excited to be able to read this book upon reading the summary for it. I relate to Evie as she deals with her chronic illness and I think for those that are expecting this to be a light rom-com it’s definitely not. This book has a lot of social commentary, employment issues, housing problems, family trauma and of course health issues. There isn’t anything light-hearted about this book so those looking for a quick and fun romantic read probably won’t enjoy this one. The main characters were dealing with so much and the romance between them was a very slow burn one but it is a cute friends to lovers story nonetheless. Overall this was a different read that was intense at some moments and filled with depth. I was emotionally invested and engaged throughout. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review and feedback.

This book really surprised me! It had so much more emotional depth than I anticipated, and I loved every bit of it! I believe it’s Marisa Kantner’s first adult novel, and I think she really nailed it! I’m excited to see what else she does in this space!

This was A+ friends to lovers romance, and a true marriage of convenience plot. Evie and Theo’s relationship was SO special. They fit together so easily which was a delight to read.

I loved flashing back to pivotal moments in their friendship to see how their past has influenced the present day story. Like I said, The story was much more emotional than I thought it would be - a lot of this story is about grief and coping with crappy parents.

I’d definitely recommend picking this book up for some summer reading!

I had a really hard time getting into this book. I think because it was told in third person POV, which is not my favorite. I sometimes had a hard time figuring out who the paragraph was about. I almost DNFed at 57%, but I really wanted to find out what happened between Evie and Theo. They met as kids in dance class. Theo was the one who befriended Evie. and from that moment on they were inseparable. At different moments in their lives, they attempted something more, but something always happened. Evie had been in a long-term relationship with a woman, which didn't end well. Evie shied away from marriage; she didn't need a ceremony or a piece of paper to prove commitment. After all, her grandparents never married but were still together many years later. When the stars finally aligned for Evie and Theo, they finally got their HEA.

While the storyline was slow-moving for me at times, I did like the dynamic between Evie and Theo. I liked how their friendship began and how supportive they were of each other.

I received an advance copy of this book at my request and voluntarily left this review.

Evie’s an aspiring Foley artist with big dreams, zero health insurance, and a chronic illness she can’t afford to ignore. Theo’s a public school teacher with a rent-controlled apartment and not enough income to keep it. The solution? A marriage of convenience between lifelong best friends. Totally platonic, totally practical… until feelings start creeping in.

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I received Friends with Benefits as an ARC (a little late, apologies and gratitude!), and from page one, I was in. This story had me rooting for Evie and Theo from the very beginning. There’s just something about a friends-to-lovers arc that hits all the soft spots, especially when it’s layered with heart, history, and just enough tension to keep you reading past your bedtime.

Evie is chaotic, sharp, vulnerable, and fiercely independent - sometimes to a fault. She’s navigating not only a competitive creative career but the exhaustion that comes with managing a chronic illness in a system that makes that harder than it needs to be. Her humor and intensity make her feel real, raw, and complex.

Theo is thoughtful, steady, and quietly emotional. He’s the kind of person who shows love by showing up over and over again. He’s been through his own grief, family estrangement, and burnout, and yet still holds space for everyone around him. He’s a caretaker who listens, adapts, and supports without losing himself in the process.

What makes this story stand out is the depth of the friendship at its core. Evie and Theo have truly grown up together. Not just side by side, but emotionally intertwined in a way that few people ever get to experience. They are each other’s person. Their bond is built on years of showing up, falling short, forgiving, and trying again. They’ve held each other through loss, illness, disappointment, and burnout. And while they don’t always get it right, there’s a natural, unshakable knowing between them that’s felt on every page.

They’ve seen the best and worst of each other. They’ve been selfish and selfless, honest and avoidant, flawed and loving. And all of it works because they never stop choosing one another, even when they don’t fully understand how or why.

I also appreciated how this book doesn’t gloss over the hard things. Chronic illness, the broken healthcare system, financial pressure, fractured families, and the creative hustle - all of it’s here. But it’s never heavy for the sake of being heavy. These themes are woven in with care, and they make Evie and Theo’s love story feel that much more grounded and real.

This is a love story, yes, but it’s also about care, mutual respect, and the quiet ways people show up for each other. If you love your romance soft but honest, playful but deeply rooted, this one’s worth your time.

I generally do not read romances. When I was invited to review this one I thought I would give it a try. I did not find the characters engaging, especially Evie. She was so much a victim and did not grow out of that image of herself. I did not appreciate her sexuality. Theo was just too good.

The plot pace was methodical and a bit slow. I ended up skipping over sections, especially long passages on emotions. There was repetition too. I like a rom-com with energy and this one just seemed lacking.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent review.

This book was okay, the more time I’ve spent since reading it the less I think fondly of it.

The plot is the remarkably similar as “Would You Rather” by Allison Ashley. Both FMC and MMC have been best friends since childhood, and the FMC have chronic health conditions, and quits her job to do a new education/fellowship that doesn’t have benefits, and so married the MMC for insurance. Unfortunately, Friends With Benefits is just a poorly executed version of it, particularly compared to its counterpart.

I really liked Theo’s character, but didn’t feel the chemistry between him and Evelyn. Both of their character development felt rushed and choppy at best. My biggest issue, however, was the book felt a bit somber for what’s supposed to be a romcom.

I’d be curious to see other books by this author, but this one just wasn’t a win for me.

This book had a lot of fun things. I loved the dual pov and dual timeline. I liked the fact that you knew they both loved each other from the beginning. I also really liked the chronic pain representation. 3.75 stars

just finished this absolute gem of a book and I’m still smiling 😭💖 it was fun, fresh, and flew by in one sitting—I legit couldn’t put it down.

the plot gave all the cute, cozy vibes while still feeling new, even with familiar tropes (hi, friends-to-lovers 👀). it nailed that balance of banter, sweetness, and emotional depth without ever getting too heavy.

the main characters made me soooo obsessed. their chemistry felt so real and natural, and the tension had me fully hooked. also yes, ugly tears were shed—no regrets 🥲

such a satisfying read with the perfect blend of romance and personal growth. this one’s staying on my rec list, and I’m officially keeping Marisa Kanter on my radar 📚✨

thank you NetGalley + the publisher for the ARC

Friends with Benefits by Marisa Kanter offers a sweet and heartfelt take on the friends-to-lovers and marriage of convenience tropes, with a modern twist grounded in real-life challenges. Lifelong best friends Evie and Theo find themselves in a bind—Evie needs health insurance to pursue her dream fellowship, and Theo needs to save his rent-controlled apartment. Their practical solution? A marriage of convenience. But as expected, their carefully drawn lines start to blur once feelings complicate their arrangement.

Kanter handles serious topics like chronic illness, financial insecurity, and the American healthcare system with sensitivity, while still delivering plenty of light, banter-filled moments. Evie’s unique job as a Foley artist adds a fun layer of industry detail, and the deep foundation of friendship between the characters feels authentic.

While some pacing issues slow the momentum and certain conflicts feel a bit repetitive, the story shines in its portrayal of complicated emotions and the tension between friendship and romance. A solid, enjoyable read for fans of slow-burn, character-driven romances with real-world stakes.

Thank you Netgalley for giving me the privilege of reading and reviewing this book. All opinions are completely my own and in my own words

I always find it hard to review poetry due to the personal nature of the content.

Friends with Benefits make me feel seen and understood. It's like Marisa Kanter is using my thoughts to write. I'm tired and done being here, but I'm not alone it seems.