Cute cute cute cute cute! This was such a perfect vacay read for me; fast and sweet. I really enjoyed all the characters and now I want to read the other 2 stories too.

Overall this story was alright, it was a little predictable from the start.

The characters were alright but didn’t love the starting arrangement between the two main characters - it’s where the predictability started. Also didn’t love Jake as the lead male he was a bit smug and wasn’t really relatable.

Friends With Benefits is the 3rd book in the Brits in Manhattan series by Laura Carter. Like the other books, it can easily be read as a standalone, though reading the whole series makes me feel like I know the characters better. Friends With Benefits is my favorite book in the series so far.

This story has us following Jake (The Law of Attraction Drew's younger brother) and his roommate/best friend Jess, who are visiting Drew from the UK. Most of the book is told from Jake's point of view, though some chapters from Jess's are sprinkled throughout, mostly to provide the backstory of why she's afraid of relationships. While I usually prefer a more even or primarily female perspective in books, I actually really enjoyed Jake's point of view.

Unlike the first 2 books, Friends With Benefits primarily takes place in the Hamptons along the beaches of Long Island. I enjoyed this beach setting and the gathering of so many characters that I've come to know throughout the series. I enjoyed the relationship and chemistry between Jake and Jess, and though the "friends with benefits" relationship seemed a bit complicated, I enjoyed the closeness the two shared right from the beginning. I really like how things ended in this book, and I'm looking forward to the next book in this series!

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the free advance copy of Friends With Benefits! The opinions expressed in my review are completely my own.

*friends to lovers
*an ex that makes an appearance
* Cute clean love story
For those of you that like steamy books this is definitely more of a hallmark style read. While I did enjoy Friends With Benefits some stuff to know - I didn’t realize this was a reprint or book 3 of a series.
2.75

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy in exchange for ran honest review.

I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are my own opinions.

I wasn't a huge fan of the book and the word trodger did not help. I think I just couldn't put myself in any of the characters' shoes or wanted to. Not my cup of tea, but it could be someone else's

DNF

The forced proximity romance in Friends With Benefits by Laura Carter centers on investor Jake Harrington and fashion designer Jessica Walters.

The book begins with Jake and Jess already sleeping together, but only when they are drunk. I had assumed that their friendship with benefits arrangement would be gradually developed.

I tried to get into this novel, but I ended up finding out that it had a love triangle. Basically, Jake was still in love with his ex, the same girl who had cheated on him. He therefore treated Jess and his ex-girlfriend as options throughout the first half that I read because he was knew of their shared feelings for him.

Though the writing and its tropes were good overall, the characters fell short.

*Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and to the author, Laura Carter, for providing me with this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.*

This was fast paced and engaging. The story revolves around New Yorker Jake Harrington trying to escape the pain of a past relationship. What he loves most about his new life is his "just-sex" arrangement with his intriguing/hot British roommate, Jess.
Both main characters are well-developed, relatable, and emotional, making the story easily be investment worthy. The dynamics between them, as they navigate their interesting relationship, are engaging and add depth.

If you have a soft spot for a classic friends to lovers theme, you're likely to enjoy this book. The gradual transformation of Jake and Jess's relationship from a no-strings-attached arrangement to something much more complex and emotional is a journey that many will appreciate.

*I’d like to thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

“Friends With Benefits” by Laura Carter tells the story of Jake and Jess. Jake is an American living in London. After having his heartbroken years prior, he decided to leave his home behind to start again in London. Jess stumbles into his life via applying as a roommate. The attraction between them was instant and strong. But Jess, who lost both of her parents as a child, got jilted at the altar and had never grown any roots anywhere, wants nothing less but to completely and fully be in love with someone. Since their attraction wasn’t able to be contained in a friendship, they made a pact: they’d have sex only when they’re drunk and never spend the night together.
When Jake has to return to the states for a week. Afraid of meeting the woman who broke his heart, he brings Jess. But things get difficult when Jake gets confronted with the pieces of his shattered heart, his love for Jess, one bed and not enough alcohol.

Up front, I did like the idea of the story. Two broken people only a step away from being together, but too afraid to take it. Then a vacation that forces them to address why they are so hesistant to take their arrangement to the next level and finally leaving the past behind to start something new. Sounds cute, sounds interesting. In theory Jake and Jess are intriguing characters. Jake, the American living in the UK, a finance bro with a hand for women and Jess, a world traveler finally settling down, a creative fashion designer with a unique style.
Unfortunately, in execution this book did not work. Jake was supposed to be cold-hearted and stern, but most of them came across as an borderline sexist arsehole who thought with genitals instead of his brain. Jess let herself be walked over and over again. Most of the book is told from Jake’s POV and it did not favour Jess. Jake kisses his ex, beats up his ex’s boyfriend and sulks about the loss of his first loss while simultaneously trying to bone Jess at any given chance. Jess simply tolerates his erratic beahviour, because they are best friends and she has to be there for him. And the whole twist that came about was that Jake and his ex were never truly official, meaning they were never actually a real couple. So, all this time Jake grieved the potential of a relationship and giving up on love forever because of it. It’s just stupid.
The storytelling/writing style also doesn’t work in favour of the book. The story is told as if Jake was sitting down with the reader reciting the events. A cluster of information is thrown at the reader instead of shown/described. Everything Jake thinks about Jess is giving in a monoglue manic pixie dream girl-esque fashion. Whole sentences get recycled and recycled again to the point that most chapters felt repetitive.
The ending was just rushed. One minute Jess gets cold feet and runs away, 24 hours later they are engaged. Their issues never truly get resolved. They never grow as people. In general I do not have immature characters as they have much potential for character growth. But there was none of that in this book. They just continued to behave like 14 year olds with credit cards.
Overall, an interesting premise with a disappointing execution. I would have wished more for these characters who clearly suffered and needed some healing, but instead I got an immature love story about two people who are very likely to get divorced one year into their marriage.

A high-flying investor New Yorker Jake Harrington loves his life. He has a lucrative hedge fund job, British women love his American accent, and he has a great relationship with his roommate, Jess. She is his ‘friend with benefits’. So when Jake has to return home and possible face the girl who betrayed him, Jess agrees to go with him/ However, their ‘no strings’ arrangement soon isn’t enough when their feelings begin to change for each other.
A closed-door romance, which deals with their personal issues as they come to face their past hurts. I enjoyed reading each of their stories, told in a dual POV. I did struggle with Jake’s take on the relationship, despite his change in attitude as the story progressed.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

It was clear from first meeting where these characters were going but the path to get there, especially while also giving Jess' story in flashbacks, was so well done. There were some sudden realizations that could have been fleshed out a bit but I just loved the characters -- they were all so likable and fun. Definitely characters that I'd be happy to read each of their stories and enjoy them more.

#arc
#netgalley
#friendswithbenefits

i didn't enjoy this book as much as i was hoping to. the pacing was very slow to me. i wasn't able to connect with the characters and the writing. maybe it just wasn't for me.

I had a fun time with this. They were so obviously in love with each other the whole time. Jess and Jake just needed to get over their individual hurdles in order to be together. I wish there was an epilogue so we could see more of them together. I will say that it was only a few lines but some of the book was definitely fatphobic.

I received an arc through netgalley.

Friends with Benefits was set up to be everything I love in a book! But.. unfortunately it fell flat for me. I wish this wasn’t the case, desperately.
The way it was set up had me absolutely roooooting for Emily. My heart was set on Emily. I should have known, by the title, but when Emily didn’t have her own POV, I was extremely disappointed. The whole prologue needs to disappear so that the reader wants to actually root for Jess, imho.
Thanks for the ARC!

This was a quick read (thanks insomnia!) which I really enjoyed. The two main characters have so much more to them than usual fluffy chick lit and I liked how the story focussed on this rather than just glossing over to fill with smut!! I would definitely recommend this, I will certainly read more by this author. Thanks Netgalley x

Friends with Benefits, is a quick and enjoyable read that deserves a solid 3-star rating. The story revolves around New Yorker Jake Harrington trying to escape the pain of a past betrayal. What he loves most about his new life is his "just-sex" arrangement with his sexy British roommate, Jess.

The characters in this book are a definite highlight. Jake and Jess are well-developed and relatable, making it to become emotionally invested in their story. The dynamics between them, as they navigate their unconventional relationship, are engaging and add depth to the narrative.

If you have a soft spot for a classic friends to lovers theme, you're likely to enjoy this book. The gradual transformation of Jake and Jess's relationship from a no-strings-attached arrangement to something much more complex and emotional is a journey that many will appreciate.

Thank you to Netgalley and Boldbooks for providing

Full disclosure. I read Two to Tango before this one. Then I realised Friends with Benefits is the third book, I’d already read the second. So I thought I might as well read the first one before I start.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Although Friends with Benefits is part of a series, it really doesn’t matter if you just read one, or read them all completely out of order. But I absolutely LOVE the fact that all the characters feature in each book. I think it’s really made me appreciate the books more.

Jake moved thousands of miles to get away from the girl who betrayed him, and broke his heart. But now on a visit to his brother, he knows he’s going to see Emily again for the first time in years. Taking his best friend and roommate Jess for moral support, will she be enough to stop him going over the rails when he sees Emily again?

I loved the way, when reading this book I thought a completely different thing would happen. I even got angry at myself halfway through when I realised, because it was so obvious!! I loved the chemistry between Jake and Jess and how neither of them really realised it, and even when they did they tried to fight it for the sake of their friendship.

Thank you Laura Carter, Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. Friends with Benefits comes out on the 16th October and you should really get your hands on a copy!

Friends with Benefits
by Laura Carter

⭐⭐

First, thank you to @netgalley for providing me with an Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Let's start with the good bits. This book had the following elements that I tend to eat up with a spoon:

❤️ friends-to-lovers
❤️ banter/humor
❤️ slow burn

There were, however, things I did not enjoy:

❌ fatphobia
❌ closed door
❌ sexist vibes

This was just not my book. I didn't connect with the characters or writing. But, hey, maybe this is the one for you!

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher Boldwood Books for giving me the chance to read Friends With Benefits.

Lust, angsty feelings and friends. Yes, a combination I can't be without as a romance reader.
My first read from the author Laura Carter and I enjoyed it.

Flew through it as it's a little shorter, so it's a good one when you want a fast read.

Rating: 3,5 ⭐

Friends to romantic partners is one of my favorite themes in romance novels, and this book did not disappoint. I liked the dual perspective from the two main characters, Jake and Jess, who also have a curve ball thrown in when Jake's first love comes back into the picture...for a minute, it was hard to decide which leading lady to root for! This is a fun, sweet novel.

I love best friends to lovers as a trope but I DNF’d this because I disliked the MMC Jake SO much.
1. There’s some very direct and indirect sexist language in chapter 1 alone including Jake calling a woman an airhead and an undercurrent of slut shaming
2. he’s written like every obnoxious hedge fund guy you’ve ever heard of.
3. He keeps rating Jess, his best friend with benefits FMC on her outfits and how she looks in them

This book (and Jake) give me the ick.