I definitely enjoy a fluffy “ know what’s going to happen” romance book every now and then. This audiobook definitely fit the bill. I enjoyed the dual POVs and both the narrators, although I think I enjoyed the male narrator more.

I will say I had a hard time liking Evie. She had odd responses to scenarios, and although a can appreciate a sex positive, feminist character, I think this got pushed just a little too hard.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review.

A very fun, yet predictable read/listen. While I love the forced proximity trope, this one felt like it was almost trying too hard. It was a slow start, but I did grow to love the characters even though I did feel like they weren't a great match for each other. I can absolutely appreciate the way the author spread awareness about the characters invisible illnesses and she did it so well. She also brought into play the issues the character had with insurance and the cost of medical treatment which is all too real for many people right now. The characters were very likeable, the spice was written perfectly and the the story felt very relatable which I loved.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC of this audiobook!

Funnily enough, I actually really liked the young adult novel I read of Marisa Kanter’s a few years ago. I guess my experience with her writing just lead me to believe that I’d really enjoy it once she transitioned to full romance. And on the one hand, she’s still pretty good as a writer overall. But my goodness, did she miss the mark with her main character this time.

I just <i>hated</i> Evie so much. Theo, unquestionably, deserved better. In fact, I can’t for the life of me understand why he liked her as much as he did and put up with even a little bit of her bullshit. Thing is, she was annoying from the beginning. And while I could sort of look past a little of her commitment phobia antics at first, I very quickly became super fed up with everything she was and did. Thus, as a result, I entirely lost the ability to look past all the little plot contrivances that made up their relationship, the situation they were in, their friendship, etc. It all just fell apart because she was such a selfish brat.

And this all culminated in the most frustrating flashback in the history of flashbacks: the after funeral scene. I cannot even with how deeply I cringed at every aspect of this moment. And when she uses it as an excuse for her behavior? Ohhhh, I wanted to smack her. So, I dunno. If you want a romance novel in which the love interest should have run for the hills and never forgiven the main character, this book’s for you. If that frustrates the hell out of you, I’d recommend skipping.

The narration overall was alright. Nothing stand out and nothing bad.

As a result of Evie's chronic illness, two best friends get married for the convenience of Theo's health benefits. The narrative style initially was harder for me to follow along as I adjusted to the third-person perspective. However, as I immersed myself in the story, the writing style became easier to follow as I became accustomed to the flow of the narrators reading in the third-person perspective. I found the musical elements at the intro and outro of the audiobook a delightful addition, enhancing the overall experience. CM Hakim's portrayal of Theo and the various other characters within his chapters was impressive, although I did struggle a bit with adapting to Gail Shalan's flow within her chapters. The dual timeline was a brilliant choice, showing Theo's long-standing affection for Evie and their evolution from 'friends with benefits' to 'friends to lovers.' The childhood friends seem to dance around their feelings, which have always felt like bad timing, until it finally clicked, obviously… Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this advanced audiobook.

3.5 stars

Cute friends-to-lovers slow burn. The audiobook's dual narration was mainly good, with some cringey moments of the female doing the male voice, and it felt weird since the story was in 3rd person POV. I felt like the chronic disease topic lacked depth when it was addressed, and the book ran too long for what it was. Overall, it was fine.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to Friends with Benefits, which publishes May 6, 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!

Friends With Benefits is a delightful, rom-com-esque read that delivers on charm, chemistry, and heartfelt moments. Marisa Kanter has crafted a modern love story full of wit, warmth, and emotional depth that will leave readers grinning and swooning in equal measure.

The novel centers on longtime best friends who enter into a “fake” relationship—a classic rom-com setup—but Kanter gives it fresh life with her clever dialogue, nuanced characters, and contemporary voice. The banter is sharp, the emotional stakes are real, and the story never loses its balance between the playful and the poignant. What really shines here is the undeniable chemistry between the leads, making every moment of longing, tension, and vulnerability feel authentic and earned.

What sets this book apart is its thoughtful exploration of friendship, identity, and the blurry lines between platonic and romantic love. While the plot follows familiar beats, it does so with heart and self-awareness, making it feel like comfort food for fans of the genre.

A few moments may feel a bit predictable, which keeps it from reaching full 5-star territory, but honestly? That’s part of the charm. Sometimes you want a story that delivers exactly what it promises—and Friends With Benefits absolutely does.

Perfect for fans of Jenny Han or Christina Lauren, this book is a sweet, satisfying addition to the fake-dating canon, and a reminder that sometimes, love really is right in front of you.

Evie and Theo have been in one another’s lives since childhood. And if they’re being honest, they’ve pretty much loved one another for most of that time. They’ve been there through many of one another’s big life events, from Theo’s mom’s illness and death to the brutal fall that ended Evie’s future as a dancer (oh yeah, dance partner Theo may or may not have dropped her). There is so much history here. And now, with both of them needing new living situations at the same time and Evie needing medical benefits if she’d like to accept a dream fellowship opportunity, they decide, why can’t best friends help one another out through a marriage on paper?

Whether it’s going to stay only on paper, well, you’re just going to have to read the book. There are a lot of interesting characters and plot points, from teacher Theo‘s adorable students, to Evie discovering she has Crohn’s disease and working to figure out how she’s going to manage it for the rest of her life, to Theo’s complicated relationship with a father who is still bitter about the loss of Theo’s mom to colorectal cancer. I read a couple of reviews of this book criticizing it for taking a stand on the state of healthcare and feeling like that topic is too political. I envy anyone who has the luxury of not taking a stand on the state of healthcare, because if it has never impacted you or your family in some of the ways health situations affect these characters, you are very lucky indeed.

This was a very readable contemporary fiction/romance with something to say. I enjoyed it throughout. Thank you #MacmillanAudio #NetGalley #MarisaKanter for the early audio copy, which was read by two excellent narrators, something I really enjoy. This publishes on May 6.

Ok, so let’s just get this out of the way, I loved this audiobook so much…OBVIOUSLY (iykyk).

Friends with Benefits follows Evie and Theo as the move from best-friends to a husband and wife in a marriage of convience, so that Theo can use Evie’s income to keep his rent-controlled apartment and Evie can use Theo’s very good health benefits. Marriage is the only logical choice if they ignore the fact the Evie is admittedly apposed to being married and Theo has been secretly in love with Evie since they first met as kid. Told in dual POV’s and flashbacks, this novel is filled to the brim with such great story telling and amazing characters. Evie and Theo’s journey throughout their relationship is filled with heartache and joy and is just so freaking relatable.

As someone who has been diagnosed with chronic pain, I immediately felt not only a sense of connection with Evie, but more importantly I felt seen. Her struggles with the American health care system are my struggles and especially the idea of an “invisible’ disease, not looking sick, but feeling the pain and illness deep into my bones, made me feel less alone. It was refreshing.

I don’t always love the miscommunication trope, but this novel has changed my mind, because it was done so well. Kanter gave her characters intricately crafted back stories that gave me a sense of understanding and deep empathy towards our MC’s. Instead of getting frustrated with the back and forth (like I usually do), I felt compassion for these characters. Their growth was slow and steady and written with such care and integrity, that by the time we got to the resolution I was crying and cheering.

I can’t wait for publication day so that everyone else can meet Evie and Theo and fall in love with them like I did. I also love that this is an easy author to support. This novel was filled with diverse representations and a undeniable understanding of the country we live in and in times like these I like to know the people I am supporting have the same principles and integrity as I do.

3.5 Stars - So Much Potential, Slightly Lost in the Echo

If I could rate this book solely on Theo’s devotion to Evie, the invisible illness rep, and the warm, easy-listening vibes of the audiobook narrators, we’d be soaring at five stars. Unfortunately, Friends with Benefits had me stuck somewhere between swooning and sighing.

Let’s start with the good: Theo. Oh my heart. The way he loves Evie—quietly, unconditionally, and always with her best interest at heart—had me melting like butter in a hot LA apartment. And as someone who cares deeply for a person that has Crohn’s, seeing an invisible autoimmune illness represented with such care and authenticity was deeply personal and appreciated. I will be gifting them this book!

Now, onto the “but…”
This book was long. Not “I never wanted it to end” long—more like “why am I reading the same emotional beat for the fourth time?” long. I swear it could’ve dropped 10 chapters and still delivered the same emotional impact, probably even more. The dual POVs, while often enriching, got repetitive…sometimes I felt like I was watching two people take turns re-explaining a fight instead of just… moving on?

Evie and Theo’s emotional hamster wheel of “will they, won’t they, why can’t they just talk?!” had me rooting for them and rage-quitting simultaneously. I wanted to shake them. Lovingly. With a little force.

That said, the concept is brilliant. The representation is gold. The vibes are there. I just wish it moved faster and trusted the reader a bit more. Still, I’ll be thinking about Theo’s soft heart for a while.

Would I recommend it? Absolutely! Especially if you love a slow burn (and I mean slow). Just maybe go in knowing it’s a scenic route, not a sprint.

This was a great book. I share a lot of the same symptoms as Evie and it was a perfect time in my life to read this book. As someone who understands the importance of excellent health insurance, I was drawn to this title. I am also a teacher so having so much in common with the characters made the book more relatable to me. I think the friends to lovers trope was a little forced but I overall really enjoyed the book. I did think some of the things were repetitive--like the focus on Evie's sexuality, however the adorable romance made up for it.

Friends With Benefits, by Marisa Kanter, is the story of best friends since childhood Evie Bloom and Theo Cohen. Theirs has been a relationship where they have shared sorrows, missed timings, but always knew the other had their back. Now, through a series of events, they find they can sort of save each other by getting married. As such Theo would have an opportunity to stay in his rent control apartment when his roommates move out by combining their incomes and getting a bigger break as a married couple. Also, being married will give Evie, who suffers from Crohn’s disease, insurance coverage so that she can leave her Foley assistant position to take a training fellowship to work her way further ahead. And then the adventure begins!

This is a very good story addressing many sensitive topics with humor and heart. The characters are very likable. And the climax is so heartwarming. I very much enjoyed this book and I do recommend it!

Thank you Macmillan audio for the review copy!

This one didn't work for me but it might be just right for other romance fans, take a look at other reviews as what doesn't work for me might not impact others!

Friends with Benefits was a miss for me, strong audio production and narration bolster my review of the audiobook, but the story did not land for me. I found the writing, right from the start, repetitive and the repetitive/writing style issue made the FMC seem very young and juvenile, hard to connect with, throughout the book. For me I need to be cheering on the main characters, waiting for the HEA or big coming of age moment and here I didn't find myself wanting to see the plot through. The romance fizzled for me, felt flat and forced and I say this as a huge fake dating fan, I am usually easily won over by that trope!

For dance lovers, Survivor lovers, Disney adults, and trope lovers, this is a cute read.

Tropes: Friends to lovers, marriage of convenience

Here’s the thing. I really wanted to like this book, but I just couldn’t. There were so many details in the prose that by the time actual plot came around I was too lost from the details to really fully grasp what was going on. It felt like the main character trait of the FMC was being a complainer, it felt very hopeless a lot of the time. Unfortunately I just really didn’t love this book :(

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this advanced copy of the audiobook! I thought the narration was fantastic!

Friends with Benefits is about two lifelong best friends, Evie and Theo, who end up marrying so that she can have health insurance and he can keep his apartment. There are a lot of enjoyable factors to this book. I love Evie’s closeness with her sister and grandparents, despite her terrible parents. I love that Theo and Evie were childhood friends whose relationship ebbed and flowed, which would be totally realistic. I loved how considerate of Evie’s health concerns Theo is, it’s so refreshing to read about a man taking such great care of a women with a chronic illness. Also, I LOVE a friends to lovers trope for a rom com. However, I hate to say but I feel like because this rom com theme is done so often, this one fell flat for me. It didn’t make sense to me that they needed to be married for Theo to keep the apartment. Secondly, there were multiple flashbacks through the story and I found them a bit hard to follow. They jumped around timeframe-wise and at times, did not seem relevant to the plot. Evie has a complicated relationship with her parents, which I’m sure can be relatable but I found that storyline complicated. At one point in the story, Evie is attending a family gathering hoping her half-sister is there, with her mother, but instead of bringing Evie’s biological sister she’s close with, she brings Theo and the younger half-sister has no idea who she is. Lastly, there is a strong theme throughout the book of Evie dealing with crohn’s disease. While I find that completely appropriate and relatable for others, I felt like the coverage of her disease wasn’t properly inserted into the story. It didn’t flow well to me. Overall, this story was a 3-stars for me, narration brought it up to 3.5 stars. The narration was wonderfully done!

The cutest love story with representation everywhere. I loved the characters and how much they loved each other despite all the obstacles. I was cheering for them the whole time! The audiobook was perfect and the narrator was great!

Friends with Benefits is a fun, flirty read that blends classic rom-com tropes with fresh, relatable characters. Marisa Kanter does a great job building tension and friendship between the leads, and the fake-dating setup delivers all the swoony, awkward moments you’d hope for.

The audiobook is a standout—both narrators bring so much personality and emotion to the story, making it feel even more dynamic. Their voices perfectly capture the characters' personalities and really elevate the experience.

It’s not a perfect five for me only because some plot points felt a bit drawn out, but overall, it's a thoroughly enjoyable listen with heart, humor, and heat. Definitely recommend, especially in audio format!

Friends with Benefits is a four star book. It’s a childhood friends to lovers, marriage of convenience story with a one bed trope. I loved the inclusion and honesty about chronic illnesses.

This book handles heavy topics of grief and loss in a great way. I love the support the characters have for each other. This is a classic and cute romcom.

I read the audiobook version. I loved the narration, but listened at 1.5 speed. Anything slower was just too slow. This was a fun listen if you like Jessica Joyce and Ali Rosen.

What a ride!
Friends to lovers is my favorite trope, and bonus as this is a childhood friends to lovers story.
Evie and Theo have always harbored feelings for the other, but both leery of crossing that line.
Their story is a push and pull of epic angst that frustrated the hell out of me. It’s been a minute since I’ve wanted to scream at the characters to pull their heads out of the sand!!!

I reveled in it.

But, I wish they didn’t stay on that path for as long as they did. It felt unnecessarily extended and I felt content yet exhausted and Partially bereft? when they finally got their HEA. It’s like showing up late to a surprise party, reveling in the echos of what was missed.

The alternating male and female narrators delivered this story well, especially when performing a distinct voice for each character. It’s a great sign when I’m so engaged and intent to what comes next.

4 STARS

Thank you to the publisher for the chance of listening to an audiobook ARC for an honest review.