I absolutely loved this book from start to finish. It is a perfect romantic comedy! There were some unexpected twists and you couldn’t help but root for Evie and Theo!

I am not sure if it was the book or the fact I had a lot going on in my life to why I wasn't able to connect with this book.

I love the fact the author has a character who has Crohns and sheds more light on the struggle people have to go through. I also loved the play on words of Friends with Benefits. I wasn't expecting the story to go that way. I got pretty frustrated with the Eve especially towards the end to the point I was yelling at her lol.

I had the privilege of listening to the audio. It's a dual voice book. I found it difficult listening when the author switches between time and the character has flashbacks in a present scene. I think because usually I zone out while listening and had to relisten when that happened to follow exactly what was going on. Overall both voices did a great job and were easy to listen to especially the male voice.

Overall I am glad I read it.

I wanted to like, no love, this book, I really did. I liked the story line. I felt the yearning. I ate up the whole best friend’s thing. The writing was amazing. And to be honest, I loved that the author put her politics into the book. But there was just something I couldn’t put my finger on that I didn’t like. I wish I could say what it was. To be honest it was a quick read, I enjoyed it, I just didn’t connect as much to it as I had hoped. Solid 3.5 stars.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

First of all, I FREAKING LOVE THIS BOOK! Sometimes you read a book that you relate to so hard and it’s slightly uncomfortable but worth it. This is one of those books. Evie and Theo have been best friends since they were kids. They’ve also been in love with each other almost as long but neither is willing to act on it. Evie suddenly needs to find a new place to live after her current home has been sold and Theos roommates are moving out leaving Theo needing to find roommates or move. The lease requires insane income requirements to keep the only loophole marriage. Evie has a chronic illness that requires regular doctor’s appointments, testing, and expensive medications. So Evie and Theo decide to get married because it’s mutually beneficial but everything starts to change between them and the struggle to remain platonic soulmates gets harder every day.

These characters aren’t perfect they are human and flawed and that’s what makes them so good. There is chronic illness, grief and anxiety rep in this book and it’s so well written. I laughed and unfortunately cried throughout this book. I fell in love with these characters so deeply that their pain broke my heart. For me this is a sign of a well written book. When you become so attached to a character that you feel their emotions you know the author is excellent.

This audiobook was dual narrated by Gail Shalan and GM Hakim. The narrators were great and really made these characters come alive. I loved them so much I want to listen to more of their work and will actively seek out other books narrated by them.

This was the first book I’ve read by this author and I was so impressed! This was so well written and I loved the easy dynamic between Evie and Theo. The flashbacks to key moments in their long relationship really added to the story for me by explaining some of their behaviors/reservations about telling each other how they felt. There was clearly so much love and familiarity between these characters and all the little details such as Survivor made this so fun. This had similar tropes to Would You Rather which I’ve seen mentioned in some other reviews, but I liked this book so much more as I felt more of a connection between the main characters and liked their personalities. The only things holding this back from 5 stars for me were the third person point of view, I think the “will they won’t they” went on a little too long, and Evie repeatedly harping on Caro. Finally, as this was an audiobook, I will say the female narrator was fantastic while the male narrator was kind of bland which was hard because Theo was so lovable.

This was just a nice friends to lovers trope with a dual POV which I’m always a fan of. I enjoyed the narrators and the energy they gave to all of the characters. We get flashbacks of the MCs lives to get context on their relationship from the beginning and it’s really cute. This was close to a five ⭐️, but the FMC frustrated me way more than I’d like at times. The way she tackles conflict bothered me, but as you read along you’ll discover why she navigates it the way she does. We get important chronic illness representation and a vivid depiction of the vulnerabilities attached. If you like Abby Jimenez, B.K. Borison, and Emily Henry then you’ll definitely enjoy!

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for a copy of this 🎧 ARC.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Evie and Theo have been best friends for as long as anyone can remember. They have done everything together, with the exception of college. Competitive dancing as teens, Survivor nights, and all the family drama in between. They have always been each other’s biggest supporters, so when a huge opportunity opens up for Evie, but she’s convinced she shouldn’t take it, Theo applies for her. And when Evie is selected for it, Theo comes through in an even bigger way with an idea to benefit them both. Will they be happy with their Friends with Benefits situation or will this rip them apart?

Marisa Kanter is releasing her debut adult novel with Friends with Benefits. Known for her humorous love stories for young adults, Kanter delivers a perfect late 20’s love story that is both realistic and relatable in today’s economic environment. With personal drama, professional development, and growth on all fronts, this book is a perfect transition for readers transitioning out of the young adult age bracket and looking for something a little more mature. This is a book about not being afraid to go after what you want, but also the value of the family you create for yourself.

I give Friends with Benefits 4 out of 5 stars. I really liked this book and couldn’t get over how well written the characters’ backstories were. As someone with a chronic illness that was misdiagnosed, that aspect of the story was so tangible for me. I also appreciate the honest look at what healthcare looks like in our society – this was something I was not prepared for at that age. But above all, I loved the way these two characters’ lives are intertwined in such a relatable way. The ending verges on being too “Hallmark movie”, but the rest of this book has a completely different and relatable feel that pulled me in and kept me entertained until the end!

If you love books by Emma Lord, Emily Henry or Courtney Walsh, you’re going to love this book! With themes of parental abandonment and chronic illness, this book may not be the best selection for everyone. Also, I’d give this a light spice rating with some lightly explicit references, but most are “closed door”. However, I’d direct this to more mature audiences over 16.

I was looking for a lighter audiobook to listen to after some more serious reads when I saw this available on NetGalley. I’ve heard a lot about Kanter’s previous works and loved the cover art for this one. I loved the description of this book, too – it sounded like just the type of fun, light-hearted release I needed!

Friends with Benefits will release May 6th. You can pre-order your copy today on our Bookshop.org page!

Friends with Benefits
By Marisa Kanter
Narrated by Gail Shalan; GM Hakim
4 ⭐️

I found this story to be so cozy and sweet with an overall lighthearted feel. I enjoyed the characters, the writing, and the narration. Theo read as a dream. The story did lean heavily on poor communication (for what - I’m not telling!). I found I didn’t mind too much. I think this is a perfect read for a lighter, romcom type mood.

Thank you NetGalley, Marisa Kanter, and Macmillan Audio for this audiobook ARC.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.25 stars)
If you're looking for a delightful friends-to-lovers story that's heartfelt, humorous, and wonderfully relatable, Friends With Benefits by Marisa Kanter definitely delivers. This charming audiobook is perfect for fans of Emily Henry and Katherine Center, blending romantic comedy with meaningful themes.

Evie and Theo, lifelong best friends, enter into a marriage of convenience purely for practical reasons—health insurance and affordable housing in LA—but, predictably, nothing stays quite that simple. Forced proximity leads them to confront feelings that have always simmered beneath the surface. Theo's quiet but deep-seated love for Evie and Evie's determination not to fall into romance create a delicious tension that's impossible not to enjoy.

One of the highlights for me was learning about Evie’s career as a Foley artist. The details about how sound effects are created for film and television fascinated me—I loved seeing Evie's passion come alive through her unique and artistic job. Kanter does an excellent job bringing this little-known industry vividly to life.

I appreciated the thoughtful representation in the story. Evie’s bisexuality was refreshingly portrayed as a natural part of her character, never serving as a source of conflict. Additionally, Evie's experiences with chronic illness (Crohn’s Disease) were handled sensitively and realistically, especially her struggles with medical gaslighting and anxiety around healthcare. These details added depth and relatability to Evie's character.

Theo was equally compelling, especially as he navigated grief from losing his mother and reconnecting with his estranged father. Evie's backstory of parental abandonment and the emotional pain of being forced to quit dancing due to injury and illness also tugged at my heartstrings, making her journey incredibly moving.

The title cleverly encapsulates the layered meaning of their arrangement—from Theo literally offering Evie medical "benefits," to the evolution of their relationship into a physical, and eventually deeply emotional, connection. It was charmingly clever and perfectly fitting.

The audiobook narration deserves special praise, particularly Gail Shalan, who brought such personality and warmth to each character, especially standout side characters like Evie’s spirited grandmother and her quirky Foley mentor.

My only hesitation was with the heavy reliance on miscommunication as a plot device. While the miscommunication trope can add tension, it felt slightly overused here. I found myself wishing Evie and Theo would just openly talk things out more often instead of continuously misunderstanding each other.

Overall, Friends With Benefits is a sweet, enjoyable, and emotionally rich story with relatable struggles and plenty of swoon-worthy moments. It's definitely worth adding to your TBR pile, especially if you love contemporary romances filled with heart and humor.

Thank you to NetGalley, Marisa Kanter, and Macmillan Audio for the ALC of this book.

Friends with Benefits is a true friends to lovers romance. It fits the trope perfectly but with added bonuses of characters with more emotional dynamics than the typical trope, diversity representation of chronic illness and LGBTQIA+ characters, trauma and grief undertones, and a unique professional career for the characters (foley sound, which I personally loved). I enjoyed the more rounded edges of this romance, allowing me to feel more engaged with the characters and plot. I also enjoyed the alternating POVs and flashback chapters. While I felt the end was a little rushed and “happy bow ending” than I typically gravitate toward, I found it an enjoyable, quick read.
Note: I appreciate MacMillan audio for providing me an ARC of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

⭐ Rating: 4.25 out of 5 stars

This book took me by surprise in the best way! Friends with Benefits is a contemporary romance that follows Evie and Theo—lifelong best friends turned fake spouses out of necessity. With LA housing costs and adulting struggles in full force, the pair finds a loophole: get married to qualify for better housing. What starts as a fake arrangement quickly spirals into navigating feelings, boundaries, and figuring out if their lifelong friendship might actually be something more.

The book hits a lot of folks favorite tropes: fake marriage and best friends-to-lovers. On top of being a dual-point-of-view novel, it features flashbacks to childhood moments and strikes a sweet balance of humor and heart. The characters felt like real people—millennials figuring out love, life, and friendship in a way that’s messy, nerdy, and completely relatable.

The audiobook was a win! GM Hakim’s narration for the MMC was chef’s kiss—his delivery added so much depth and charm. Gail Shalan was solid too, though Hakim’s performance stood out more for me. The spice level was just right: present but not overwhelming, and it never overshadowed the plot or emotional growth.

As someone still finding her way through the contemporary romance genre, this one really worked for me. It’s heartfelt, funny, and a great example of romance done right—with characters that feel like people you’d actually know.

**Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan for the advance audiobook copy in exchange for my honest review.**

Solidly meh. Nothing particularly wrong with the plot other than you sometimes wanted to yell at the characters to communicate better, but usually within a chapter their therapists or someone else did that for you.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

DNF @ 6%

I just don't have the emotional bandwidth for books with heavy current social/political themes.

I really wanted to like this one—it had a fun setup, but it just didn’t click for me. The characters didn’t feel fully fleshed out, and the chemistry fell a bit flat. There were a few moments I enjoyed, but overall, it just didn’t leave much of an impact.Thank you to NetGalley, Marisa Kanter & Macmillan Audio for access to this ARC in return for my honest review!

Rating: 3.5/5
Rounded up to 4 due to audiobook.
I didn’t love this book, but I didn’t hate it either. I actually liked it more than I thought I would!

The two main characters marriage of convenience felt real, touching on chronic illness, housing struggles, and complicated situationship. I totally pictured it as a romcom movie the whole time.

I couldn’t help but picture this as a movie the whole time. It has that slow-burn romcom energy that would work so well on screen.

Also, shoutout to Gail Shalon , the audiobook narrator, her performance was honestly one of my favorite parts. She brought humor, warmth, and so much personality to the characters. I think she made the book more enjoyable for me overall.

If you're into friends-to-lovers stories grounded in real-world stakes, this one might just hit the right notes for you.

3.25 Stars
This was my first Marisa Kanter read, and I was immediately hooked by the premise. The book blends so many of my favorite tropes (friends to lovers, marriage of convenience, childhood friends) so I was thrilled to be approved for this ALC.

What I really appreciated was how the story brought attention to chronic illness and the very real struggles people face navigating the healthcare system. It added depth and real-world weight to what could have been a lighter romcom.

I absolutely loved Evie and Theo’s friendship. The flashbacks were such a sweet and emotional touch. They really showed why these two were so bonded. I could definitely see how that friendship could evolve into more, but, the ongoing miscommunication started to wear on me. After a while, it felt like it was dragging and getting in the way of the emotional payoff I was hoping for.

The dual narration made for a super enjoyable experience. I loved seeing things from both perspectives. As for the ending... I liked the HEA, but I didn’t totally feel it. I adored Theo and honestly wanted more for him than I think Evie could give. Still, it was a heartfelt, layered romance with great representation and characters that felt real and flawed in the best ways. I'll definitely be checking out more of Marisa Kanter’s work!

Thank you Celadon Books, NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the ALC!

Friends with Benefits
By: Marisa Kanter

The vibes:
- marriage of convenience
- childhood friends to lovers
- will they won’t they?
- Foley artist (makes sound effects for shows & movies) + teacher/education activist
- danced together competitively
- Crohn’s/chronic illness rep
- Grief & loss rep

This book had some good qualities, like the sweet connection between childhood friends, Theo & Evie, and the marriage of convenience trope! But there were also some less desirable aspects in my opinion, such as the endless miscommunications, misunderstandings, and will they won’t they vibes. It felt a bit repetitive as a result of those things & the book was a bit long due to the miscommunication. If they had just communicated, the book would’ve been half the duration.

The narrators were great and you felt the emotion of the characters throughout!

Trigger warnings: loss of a parent, grief, cancer, chronic illness, difficult family relationships

Thank you to NetGalley & the author for access to this ARC in return for my honest review!

Evie Bloom and Theo Cohen have been best friends since they met as children in dance class. They have always been there to help each other out with no questions asked. Now Evie is losing her place to live and Theo's roommates are buying a condo. In order to stay in the rent controlled apartment Theo and Eveie will have to get married. This works out since Theo filled out an internship for Eveie and she needs to have health insurance since she has a chronic illness. The more that they spend together the more they can't hide their true feelings for each other. All of their friends and family knows that they should be together but why can not see it. This was a cute and funny book with serious undertones of chronic illness, missed chances, loss of a parent. I would like to thank both NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for letting me listen to an advanced copy of this audiobook.

𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐖 ~ 𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐒 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐁𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐅𝐈𝐓𝐒 ~ by Marisa Kanter ~ Thanks to Celadon Books, MacMillan Audio and Netgalley for an ALC copy of this book. This book started off well and it was working until… well… it wasn’t. The pacing of this started to drag and was filled with so much repetition of information. Then there were long inner monologues that served as info dumps but didn’t do much for characterization. This is a lifelong friends-to-lovers trope, but sadly, I never really felt the love connection between Evie and Theo. Also, I felt as if the author tried too hard to make this modern or even “woke” in relation to sexuality and politics. I get that a lot of romances are exposing newly defined lifestyles and that is fine, it just felt too “try-hard” in this story and for these characters. My biggest pet peeve in this was the use of triples: words and phrases. I wish I kept specific notes on this because by the end it was making me nuts when Theo's deceased mom is in his head telling him “go,go,go.” Insert eye roll because that was about the 50th time three word(s) were repeated in this book. The third act conflict is played out 3 or 4 times and was so overdone in the miscommunication world that I was yelling at them to just speak. I liked the representation of a chronic health issue which gave the story some depth. However, I didn’t really vibe with Evie herself as she was so immature and self centered. I am surprised Theo didn’t give up after a bit. She did have a cool job though.
To sum up, predictable, cliche, oddly structured, super repetitive, not much character growth, unbelievable love connection…… this wasn’t horrible and I can see why romance lover readers might buy into this, it just wasn’t for me, wasn’t for me, wasn’t for me.
⭐⭐💫 (2.5)
𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐥𝐥! 📚♥️

This was a hard pass for me, which was very disappointing. I was excited to read the book, however I was not a fan of either of the narrators. They honestly made the story unbearable for me, and even if they hadn't...I am not sure that I would want to continue with the story.