This is just the cutest story!

It's the end of the high school. For Jess that means working, trying to figure out what she wants to do with her life and hanging with her brother, who is coming home from college for a month. He is also bringing a friend that she has the biggest crush on. But the problem is, that she can barely talk to a guy, let alone do anything else.

She needs someone to practice on and the perfect guy, for no strings attached, just lost of naked time is Ben. Ben and Jess are the only single ones in their friend group ( well Ben has a lot of girlfriends, just not for a long time), but they can't even be considered friends. They constantly argue and pick on each other. She is sure that she can separate the physical and emotional. The more time they spend together, she gets to know a whole other Ben, who is kind of nerdy and doesn't have the best family and starts to fall for him.

But her brother's friend is coming and they had a deal...

An enemies with benefits to lovers ya contemporary romance that made me smile and feel all of the feels...

I was really looking forward to reading a fun and short YA story since it had been a while since I found a good one. Frenemies with Benefits did deliver on that front, but I had some trouble finishing the story. I would definitely read the author’s work still if it would be in an NA/A setting.

I actually really enjoyed the banter between Jess and Oliver, which I felt was appropriate for their age and the setting of the book. However, the more I read, the more I struggled to figure out where the story was going. Jess, the main character, wasn't as well-developed as I would have liked. While I understand that she's a teenager in high school, she keeps doing things that are out of character without any explanation for the readers. The same goes for the love interest of the MC. There were more chapters about their "sexy times" than actually getting to know them. This surprised me because, for a moment, I thought I was reading an NA/A novel instead of high schoolers trying to navigate their first sexual encounter/s.

Despite these issues, Frenemies with Benefits was written in a straightforward and easy-to-read way so I would still recommend it to readers who want a cute YA read with a bit of spice.

I really loved this!! The cover and title made me think it might be kind of typical and nothing to write home about, but I saw a lot of reviews where people were really pleasantly surprised and AS WAS I!! I loved the characters, loved their relationship and loved seeing teens exploring, embracing and owning their sexuality in a positive way, that’s so rare in YA! It was also kind of healing tbh for me, and I think for many others, to go on this journey alongside Jessie - she had such a kind and considerate partner by her side for her early sexual experiences, as she learned and grew and found her confidence, and I don’t think many of us experience that necessarily! So I loved this all around. And they were so sweet and had such a great connection.

(Also, while it was very sexy and sex positive, it wasn’t too “graphic” in a way that I think was appropriate for YA. Still went a lot further than the typical 🤣).

Thank you to Netgalley, Entangled Press, and the Author for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this in exchange for my honest thoughts.

This was the kind of story I wanted when I was a teen. Like Sharp stated in her authors note at the beginning of the book, I too wanted to know what happened after and before that infamous first time or being in that kind of relationship with a guy. High school kids never really talk about what all the after is just the "deed".

I found the cast of characters a bit interesting. My biggest qualm was that 5/6 characters are filthy rich and one is not. Yet you never hear about any of the other kids at the school being poorer or on a similar level financially as our FMC. That made it hard for me to sympathize with some of the problems with the other teens because it was like why are they filthy rich and no one else is poor. I think had that been explained a bit more that would have been a non issue to me because it could've easily been explained by a scholarship or something.

The banter between the leads was A+ level. It felt real frenemies level of banter. They picked on one another and were kind of borderline mean to each other. I will say the fact that our FMC finds our MMC attractive at all made the Frenemies with benefits part way more believable because she did think he was good looking she just didn't like his personality.

Overall the pacing of the story was good. I found myself invested in what exactly was going on with each individual and their dreams and where they were at in terms of post graduation life. This felt realistic and would have been an amazing book to have my hands on as a 15-18 year old high school student. Hands down would read more from Sharp and suggest to my friends.

Put Jessica Webster and Benjamin Oliver together and its oil and vinegar. The verbal sparring is everyone else’s entertainment, though, and their best friends are a couple so they have to be around each other. There’s a lot that I liked - the main characters, their friends, the storyline and the dialogue. It’s pretty obvious that these two have chemistry that could be combustible if given the chance. So when saying never turns into a green light for go, I was eager to see the dynamics between them change.

Mostly, I didn’t mind Jess. She did make a big deal about being one of the have-nots vs the haves in her school compared and there wasn’t much background behind this nor for Benjamin other than being the mayor’s son. And Jess seems to have no trouble expressing herself unless it is amongst a crowd or people she wants to impress and then she clams up. She really doesn’t want to be in the center of attention but then she sometimes acts like she’s always been in the spotlight, like when working with kids in the library. That part didn’t always sync up well with her personality. Otherwise, I was really loving her exploration of sexuality with Ben, who happens to be both patient and generous.

Ben is definitely more than meets the eye. His public side gets him a lot of attention and accolade so that he’s really popular and well loved. He’s not trying to be boyfriend material, but helping Jess out is a commitment that he’s sticking with and he likes her more as time goes by. I think that flashback scene should’ve been introduced earlier so readers can understand why Jess and Ben have such a bitter feud.

As far as YA reads go, this one captures the characters’ age and experience well. Sure, they were immature at times, but I saw their growth, too, especially when it came to making decisions about their future. Granted, Jess came off a bit flaky or undecided after graduation, but ended up on a high note with some added wisdom and common sense.

This was such a cute and fun read! It's definitely a mature YA novel which I appreciated. The characters were both likeable and it was easy to become invested in them. Would definitely recommend and would read more from this author.

a cute novel, i really enjoyed it!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and netgalley for this review copy.

I didn’t want this story to end! Such a fun (and funny!) YA romance that gets quite steamy at times. I loved the main characters. Jess just felt so relatable to a somewhat-awkward 18 year old and Benjamin Oliver defies all odds. Their banter had me crying laughing at times, but then there were more serious moments that had me hoping for the character to be ok. Overall a great novel!

This was a cute and fun rom-com! I loved the characters and the banter between them and the message, and especially the enemies to lovers trope. It’s a great book!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for my review.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I could not put this down. It was a great contemporary rom com.

*I got a free copy through Netgalley, this in no way affected my review*

This book was actually so much fun? It’s a fun, easy to read rom-com and I had a blast reading it!

There were certain themes that I wished we would have explored more, two of them being Ben’s relationship with his family and Jessie’s relationship with her parents. We briefly touch on those, but I feel like they could have been more present and fleshed out.

But I loved the banter between the two of them and it really had me laughing out loud from time to time, so would definitely recommend if you’re looking for a quick read!

This fills a gap I often see between YA and NA— a book for those later teens who are in the phase of their life where they’re maturing and figuring out life and love!

Frenemies With Benefits is a coming of age that is light hearted, fun, humorous, and romantic. It’ll have you giggling and kicking your feet, and as an adult it reminded me of some funny memories from high school.

Overall enjoyed this one for what it was, will recommend

3 stars

This book offers a remarkably optimistic examination of sexuality. It was pleasurable to see the book delving into subjects such as consent, social influence, and adolescent parenthood. Beyond being engaging, it also provided valuable learning, making it advantageous for older teenagers to engage with its content. The book's charm and swift pace make it an enjoyable read suitable for both teenagers and adults.

#FirstLine - On the last day of school for the year, it’s every person for themselves.

Prepare to be swept away by a delightful and enchanting contemporary romantic comedy that hits all the right notes. This engaging novel, with its blend of playful banter, sizzling chemistry, and heartwarming moments, is a true gem in the world of romance literature.

In this captivating story, the protagonist's journey is a perfect concoction of laughter, swoons, and self-discovery. The book introduces us to a world where romantic entanglements are far from straightforward. With a premise that echoes the trials and tribulations of navigating romance, readers are in for a treat as they follow characters through a rollercoaster of emotions.

This contemporary rom-com isn't just about the romance. It's a testament to the power of friendship, personal growth, and the joys of finding oneself amidst the chaos of relationships. The characters, each with their own quirks and relatable insecurities, make for an ensemble that feels authentic and endearing. A must read!!!

Will they keep up the charade or fall in love?
18yo Jessica is graduating from high school in Pittsburgh and she’s shy and innocent but wants to break through her inhibitions and insecurities. When Ben jokingly offers to help her, she shrugs him off but eventually reconsiders. They’ve been sort of enemies within the same friend group for the past year and Jessica isn’t sure why Ben wants to help her. When they fake date, she sees the side of Ben that he’s kept hidden from her - smart, kind and gentlemanly. Can they continue with this charade without falling for each other?

Likes/dislikes: I like that the publisher states where to check for content warnings/elements of concern before the reader starts the book. The banter between Jessica and Ben is funny and clever. I enjoyed the cute romance parts.
Mature Content: R for detailed sex.
Language: R for 261 swears and 104 f-words.
Violence: none.
Ethnicity: Andrew is Brazilian. Rayna has olive toned skin. Jeremy has dark brown skin. Jessica has porcelain skin.

In "Frenemies with Benefits," Lydia Sharp crafts a charming and heartwarming romance that captures the essence of young love and personal growth. Protagonist Jess Webster's endearing struggle to overcome her shyness around guys leads her to an unexpected alliance with Benjamin Oliver, a charismatic blend of athleticism and intellect. As the summer unfolds, their relationship evolves from reluctant partners to something deeper, all while exploring themes of consent and communication. Sharp skillfully balances humor with emotional resonance, creating relatable characters who navigate the complexities of teenage emotions. While Jess and Benjamin occasionally display immaturity, their journey is a touching exploration of self-discovery and the exhilaration of first loves. "Frenemies with Benefits" offers a heartwarming tale that captures the awkward beauty of young romance in a tasteful and engaging manner

“If this doesn’t work and we get caught, was it worth it? Was…I worth it?”

This was the cutest read! I really enjoyed Jessica and Ben’s frenemie-ship. This book was very sex positive and it was a refreshing read. Even though we generally say times have changed, there is still a set way, a taboo way that involves sex, teaching it, talking about it, etc. There’s also the matter of consent, which the author did an excellent job at portraying how important consent is in a sexual relationship.

I do have to mention that the way Jessica and Ben’s relationship progresses and unfolds makes this more of an upper YA read, much closer to an NA read. Just putting that out there depending on what level of maturity you enjoy in your YA contemps.

This had two of my very favorite tropes; enemies-to-lovers and fake dating! It has some great banter between the main characters and some great steamy scenes as well. I truly loved Ben and Jessica - they were the cutest!

The friendships in this story are also great. Jessica has two best friends and they are just a wonderful group of supportive girls. They are honest and true to their selves. This book was full of healthy relationships.

All in all I highly recommend Frenemies with Benefits. It has be chuckling and swooning and it was just a truly feel-good read.

“You’re the only thing I think about before I fall asleep, and the only thing I think about as soon as I wake up. And when I dream, it’s all about you. And when I have nightmares, it’s because you aren’t there.”


*A huge thanks to Entangled Teen and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC for review. All thoughts are my own.*

Frenemies with Benefits is the newest rom-com by Lydia Sharp. I have never heard of this author before and was drawn to the bright coloured cover. This cover already says "just read me already" and really tells a story on it's own. I was curious about this book before I even started reading. What will Lydia Sharp have in store for her readers?

Jess always is akward when it comes to talking to strangers, especially guys and let alone engage in doing things with them. Now high school is over it is time to chase Andrew, who she desires. All she needs is some practice first. When her friend and enemy Benjamin suggest such a thing she thinks it is weird but she enters a bargain. But what if the is the best and only candidate for her guy glow-up? A summer full of guy lessons and physical interaction with two cute boys on the horizon sounds amazing. Jess is sure she can win this bargain, but can her deal with Benjamin stay only with benefits? What does Jess even want? What if something goes wrong in the plan or feelings get involved?

This book just has all the popular tropes you could ever want in a rom-com. Enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, he falls first, friends with benefits and so on. All of these tropes I really love and they are now put together in one amazing book called Frenemies with Benefits. The tropes are balanced out really well, making them not too much.

Jess and Benjamin are both really different characters and therefore enemies within their group of friends, but still decide to help each other. He seems to be the only person who can get her what she wants, but with what consequences?

This book has a time period of the summer holiday, which is quite long. However all of the developments within the relation between Jess and Benjamin are quite rushed. There are little in-between moments and therefore I felt like sometimes the storyline lacked depth. This however does not ruin this book at all. The storyline itself is amazing and I really enjoyed it. Yes, it is maybe a bit lacky and quick paced. But this also adds to the storyline itself.

I really enjoyed reading Frenemies with Benefits and think everything is thought out really well. All of the tropes also just work together making it a fantastic whole. This book made me laugh but also cry. I think everyone wishes they could have a Benjamin in their life, since he is one-of-a-kind. He respects all the flaws which isn't something you come across very often in this kind of book. Frenemies with Benefits is a real must read and therefore I give it a 4,5 star rating.

Jessie is our FMC who is inexperienced when it comes to all things sex and makes a deal with her ‘frenemy’ Ben to teach her. She does this in hopes of attracting her older brother's best friend when he comes to visit. This fun YA is a romcom that doesn't shy away from sex, like so many other books in the genre.
I thought that there could have been more character and plot development, but I still really enjoyed it.
This book is definitely for older teens due to its mature content, but I liked that the author made it clear that a healthy relationship should be based on trust, honesty, and consent.

I would have absolutely eaten this up when I was in high school, I did now, but I would have then too. There's nothing quite like a sleeping with your enemy for experience plot line, and this one was done well. Throw in bonus fake dating, and the whole thing was a hit. I definitely got some DUFF vibes from this, which I appreciate because I loved that book too. This is fairly spicy for a YA book but also not? I mean the whole thing is about sex so its not unexpected, but also it doesn't go into super explicit detail or anything. I will admit, I was taken aback at first bc its like a book marketed to teenagers about sex *gasp* but also idk who I'm kidding because I was reading/doing all the same stuff as a teen. Overall, I think its a realistic take on that time of life that can be enjoyed by anyone!