The sizzling tale of a high-flying New York investor, Jake Harrington, and his sexy British flatmate, Jess. Their no-strings-attached arrangement seems perfect until a trip to New York forces them to confront emotions beyond simple lust. A compelling story of love, friendship, and the complexities that arise when feelings evolve.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW


Review for 'Friends With Benefits' by Laura Carter.



Read and reviewed for Laura Carter, Boldwood Books, Book & Tonic, NetGalley and Rachel's Random Resources Tours.



Publication date 16th October 2023.



This is the first book I have read by this author but it most definitely won't be my last!! It is also the third book in her 'Brits In Manhattan' series but can be read as a standalone.


This novel consists of 22 chapters. The chapters are short in length so easy to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!



This book has fantastic descriptions that set you straight in the scenes. The cover, title and synopsis suit the storyline perfectly.


Where the heck have you been hiding all my life Laura!!! Love, LOVE, LOVED this absolutely beautiful page turner!! An absolute must read!!!




OMG!!! I to get stuck in to all of Laura's previous books!! They are just guaranteed to be stunning!! I absolutely adored the gorgeous storyline An absolutely stunning book that takes you from London to France to Manhattan and takes you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions. This is a story filled with friendship, heartache, regret, romance, family and just everything you could want in a gorgeous page turner!!! I was completely invested in this book from the very first page and was hooked throughout. I just could not put it down and ended up devouring it in one sitting!! Laura's stunning evocative writing skills really do bring the locations, emotions and the characters to life!! This is one of those books that is very easy to read and perfect for any reading situations whether you are laying on a beach or curled up in front of a fire. It is an absolutely ideal read for anyone who is looking for a beautiful and heart warming read that will have you hooked from beginning to end. I absolutely LOVED the realism of this storyline which made it so easy to picture everything that was going on which had been helped by Laura's fantastic evocative writing skills. I cannot wait to get hooked into more of her books so I hope she is busy writing her one while I get stuck into her previous books!! This is definitely one of those books that will turn a frown upside down and make life seem a lot brighter. I cannot wait to devour the rest of the books in this series and travel from the UK to the US over and over again. One moment I'm sitting on a sofa in rainy Wales and the next I'm strolling on a beach in the Hamptons!!! I just adored everything about this sexy friends with benefits page turner, especially the feel good ending!!!


Although this is the third book in the series I had absolutely no problems reading it without the others. Any details or events that have previously happened are mentioned in just the right amount of detail to let a new reader know what has happened and yet not too much to bore a previous reader.

Well done Laura on an absolutely beautiful book!!! This may be the first book I have read by her but I cannot wait to get hold of more books by this extremely talented author!!!


The characters were all an eclectic mix and each one of them were realistic and strong. I was completely invested in them all. It also makes them more realistic, believable and made me feel even more for them than I normally would. They each had their own unique personalities with positive and negative behaviours. My heart went out to both Jake and Jess who both struggled with romance due to their pasts. They make a pact to stay as friends with benefits so neither can get hurt but when things start getting hot out of the bedroom can they stick to the pact and if they don't will they lose their friendship? I really adored all of these characters and felt the love with all of Jake's amazing family and friends. I adored the way they wrap Jess into their fold and made her feel part of the family. From heartbroken Jess to sexy Jake, brother Drew to b3113nd Marry these characters will stay with me for a long time!!! I loved meeting about them and learning about them as individuals as well as seeing their interactions with each other and seeing their friendships and relationships change and develop throughout. There were just so many amazing characters that I loved getting to know that I could write about them all day but I don't want to bore you so I'll start to wrap it up here. Each of the characters are memorable and unique in their own ways and they are a group that I wont be forgetting any time soon! A stunning rom com and an amazing group of unforgettable characters!!!


Pick up this book and get lost in this absolutely gorgeous page turner! This has got to be one of the most heartwarming books I have ever read 💜!!!




Congratulations Laura on an absolutely stunning read that I just could not put down!!! I am absolutely mind blown that I have never read any of your absolutely gorgeous books yet!! I am looking forward to reading more of your previous and future books. I would absolutely love to see this book turned into a movie!!! Welcome to my favourite author list and here's to your next success 🥂



Make sure you read to the very end of the book to read the first chapter of Laura's 'Two To Tango' which is the second book in this series and promises to be just as gorgeous as this book. It is one I'm definitely looking forward to reading myself!!




Overall an unputdownable, gorgeous, STUNNING page turning book filled with romance, loss, friendship and so much more!! A gorgeous, romantic, funny and stunning read!!!!



234 pages.



This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle, free with kindle unlimited and £9.32 in paperback at time of review via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!



Rated 5/5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.



Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews.




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I really struggled to get into this book. I just couldn't connect with the characters - particularly Jake and the way he spoke about people - and I wasn't invested in the story. The pacing was off as well but this could be just me, I am quite an impatient reader!

I do think that many people will enjoy this though, it just wasn't my cup of tea.

But thank you for allowing me to read this!

Another great novel by Laura Carter. If I see a Laura Carter book I have to have it. Friends with benefits was a nice easy read which was so relatable.

I loved both Jake and Jess as main characters they were very lovable and I wanted a happy ending for them.

If you need a romance read you can’t put down then pick up Friends with Benefits by Laura Carter!

I have never read a more insufferable main male character in my life. I did not enjoy his POV and I just ended up dnf'ing because I did not like him and therefore could not root for him. Also the story did not make sense so I found it hard to follow.

This is a contemporary romance that's such a fun read
With a couple of flat sharers who have agreed
To share benefits - but only when drunk they say
But what'll happen when they go away to stay?

Jake felt betrayed by his best friends getting together
He's determined to trust no one else with his heart - never!
His arrangement with Jess is just what he needs
After all, that's what they both agreed.

Jess has seen true love and been hurt in the past
She no longer believes that romance can last
She's determine to protect her heart from pain
Her relationship with Jake she hopes is all gain.

Visiting his brother, going to his home to stay,
Meeting his betrayers after three years away
Keeping Jess by his side, he knows is what he needs,
But what if love grows into more than agreed?

A story of facing betrayals from the past,
Putting past hurts aside and moving on at last.
A romance that everyone else can see from the start
But will these two risk hurting their heart?

There's family fun, drama and romance
In this heartwarming read I recommend you give a chance.
For my complementary copy of this book, I say thank you,
A really fun read and this is my honest review.

I’ve really loved reading this book. Even though it’s part of the ‘Brits In Manhattan’ series, it can be read as a standalone. It’s really well written and quickly paced. The story flows really well too. I really liked Jess and Jake and thought that they had a lot of chemistry, they were perfect for each other even when they were fighting against their attraction. I loved the banter between them and I really liked the side characters. I liked that the majority of the book was told from Jakes POV, with Jess’s POV being told in flashbacks. I loved catching up with Drew and Becky and the other couples from the series. Overall a funny and emotional read that I really recommend.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this eARC of 'Friends With Benefits' by Laura Carter.

I feel disappointed by this book. I HATED Jake with the most burning passion in the world. I can't root for his romantic endeavours in any shape of form and he just felt like a walking talking red flag. Gross.

I admit when I first started reading this I thought Jake and Jess’s arrangement to be a bit odd, I know friends with benefits exists but not usually when you live together, but despite my hesitation to the set up between them I thoroughly enjoyed this book and definitely recommend reading it.

Their arrangement works for the up to a certain point, until their are emotions and ‘feelings’. I’m not going to go into much more of what happens or I’d spoil the whole book and ruin it for everyone, but I really enjoyed this, such a fun read. I loved Jess and Jake, the chemistry between them is lovely, so natural, I loved the authors ability to make me care what happened to them every step of the way.

I found this to be so completely relatable (even though I’ve never had a friends with benefits relationship myself), the issues her characters face are realistic and so are the way they deal with things. I can thoroughly recommend this to anyone who wants a beautiful love story that will captivate you from start to end.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

For me, this is the best book in the series (Brits in Manhattan). I don’t watch that many movies but I know if this was made into a movie, it will be one I would want to watch.

This book was mainly from Jake’s POV and I’m not sure what it was meant to achieve if we are reading about TWO people on their way to love. But I still enjoyed reading about Jake and understanding his emotions even though he comes across as crass and a bit sexist.

It was bold that the author made Jake the centre of the story. It was a gamble which paid off as no one could have told the story better.

Jess had a complicated life and it would have helped if she was given enough time and space for her opinion.

The highlight of the book for me was catching up with the gang. I enjoyed the banter, fights, conversations and familiarity amongst all of them. I would love to read Marty’s story.

I received a copy of this book and the review is mine and voluntary.

Jake and Jess have a no-strings, no-feelings, sex-only arrangement, so when Jess does Jake a favour and accompanies him on a trip to the Hamptons What could possibly go wrong?

This book had a predictable narrative but this did not take away from it. I really enjoy Carter’s writing and loved the easy read with characters who have great chemistry.

It was great to carry on this series and this is an author I will easily pick up.

Firstly i would just like to say a big thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources who very kindly forwarded me an arc copy of this book, for my kindle, in return for my honest review.

Friends With Benefits is actually book number three from the ‘Brits In Manhattan’ series. It is best to read this series in order as there are recurring characters throughout all of the books.

This was a wonderful journey of a story and i loved following Jake and Jess and becoming immersed in their story.

This book was such an easy book to read and the story flowed nicely with no hidden surprises along the way.

I loved the two main characters and following their ‘ no-strings ‘ sex arrangement. A wonderful story…….

This is the third book from the Brits in Manhatten series, however, each of the books can be read as a standalone story. Friends with Benefits follows main characters and flat-mates, Jake and Jess. Best friends, flat-mates and also having a just sex arrangement – which suits them both just perfectly.

Both Jess and Jake have been hurt from past relationships, so the no commitment of the just sex arrangement suits them both. However, on a week away in the Hamptons, everything changes for them both. Could this be the start of an actual real relationship for Jake and Jess, or are they both just too consumed by the hurt from their past relationships to realise how happy they both could be together?

Friends with Benefits is such a fun read, with brilliantly written characters, packed full of fun, love, laughs, and emotions. A perfect read to cosy up with on a cold Autumn weekend.

dnf

I just could not get into the writing of this one friends. The tone it’s written in felt very… young. Like, adults that are immature kind of young. Jake also gave me the ick like immediately off the bat. He gave off huge red flags and felt like a guy I would stay away from irl. It was giving creepy and conceded tbh.

*A special thank you to Netgalley and Random House for early access to this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*

This book was very predictable from the moment I read about the dynamic between Jake and Jess. It was a very good book overall but the predictability plus the slow burn of the whole story made it hard to want to continue reading it. The friends with benefits isn't even with the old best friend who he is still hung up on it's with the new best friend, Jess. If you like slow burn and maybe a little love triangle then this would be perfect for you!

I read Friends with Benefits by Laura Carter this is the 3rd book in the Brits in Manhattan series and I enjoyed it. This story is told by Jake and Jess’ POV.

Jake Harrington grew up in New York the youngest of 3 kids being the oops kid. He grew up with Emily, they went from walking to school together to falling in love until she broke his heart in college. This heartache led him to take a job in London working for a hedge fund company. In London, he shares an apartment with 5 roommates Alex, Charlie. Sean, Abby, and Jess.

Jess is a free spirit fashion designer who has traveled the world. She lost her dad when she was 9yo and even though her mom promised her dad to take care of her, her mom died not too long after from a broken heart. While backpacking in Laos with her Uncle John and Aunt Ruth she meets Daniel they fall in love, they are set to get married and on the day of the wedding Daniel never shows. She swears to never fall in love again.

Jake and Jess are the best of friends and have the added bonus of the benefits that come with that. They love spending time with each other but they are both afraid of having their hearts broken. Jake is going to the Hamptons to visit his brothers Drew, Brooks, and their family for a week, when he learns Emily is going to be there he begs Jess to come to help him through his run ins with Emily.

I loved the relationship between Jake and Jess, their banter was fun, the way they could read each other just by looking into the others eyes and know what they needed. They were perfect for each other. The supporting characters we just as amazing at the main characters. I wish we got to know more about them. I really enjoyed this book and now I can’t wait to go and read the other books in the series. Thank you to Laura Carter, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for letting me read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I thought this was gonna be another love triangle and I’m so relieved that it isn’t. I’m going to be biased over my favourite trope again, this was a delight to read. One thing you always get with friends to lovers is also miscommunication. It’s not always bad when written well. This book however, managed to almost completely eliminate the miscommunication! Both Jess and Jake know what they want. They just got their own demons that’s preventing them from going from friends to lovers… even tho they’ve already slept with each other many times before. Only drunk sex tho, they’re never sober. At one point it was becoming impossible to ignore the shift in their relationship, they both know they want more, and they both know that the other wants the same. Jess and Jake can communicate their feelings and emotions so clearly that the trust they have for each other is unreal. Trust is so important. Jake got his demons sorted out first before Jess and I love that they both helped each other reach their goal. Their dynamic is my favourite. I love it so much. Gah! I don’t know what to say anymore I just love them so much.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I am total obsessed with the Manhattan series from @lauracarterauthor they are utterly hilarious. I think they are a perfect mix of romance, humour and wonderful chemistry. I love Jake and Jess and was waiting for them to see just how suited they were. I also liked the dash of conflict that was added with the appearance of Emily who was Jakes ex. This book was so wonderfully written and the characters were so real and authentic. I love that with this series the main focus is a different couple but all the characters lives are intertwined. I think thus best read as a series to build an emotional connection to the characters. I am now impatiently waiting for book 4.

The MMC Jake was too hung up on his childhood friend Emily, but he has an arrangement with his London roommate and new best friend, Jess. It was a bit confusing at the beginning, I thought it was a second chance, friends with benefits but it was not. It is a new best friend who Jake has the benefits with.
Jess’ POV chapters were a bit boring, felt they take out from the main storyline even though they give an in-depth look into Jess’ childhood life.

This was a super quick and easy read and it was just adorable from start to finish!

Had so many tropes I like! Slow burn, Friends to lovers, friends with benefits, an ex makes an unexpected appearance!

Now I will say I read the 4th book in this “series” but they can be read as standalones! However, it meant it was very predictable for me because I kinda knew what happens from talk in the next instalment so I wish I had read them the other way round but we learn!

I would recommend picking this up if you like a cute romance with a happy ending! Was very short could easily be read in a day if you need something snappy!

Thank you Laura Carter & Net Galley for this arc for my honest review!