Friends with Benefits, by Laura Carter, is the story of Jake and Jess, who are roommates and friends with benefits. Jake is still hung up on an old best friend, Emily, who he will have to see when he visits his family in the Hamptons. He doesn’t know if he can face Emily alone. Jess is happy to go along to be a buffer for Jake, and get away from rainy England for a sunny vacation. Jake is forced to face the past that he’s run away from. While on vacation, Jake and Jess are beginning to have feelings more than simple lust or friendship. Will they be able to gamble on their friendship to find something better?

This is an easy and light read. This book could be read in an afternoon at the beach, beside a pool, on an airplane, or during a rainy day. It’s a story that’s been told before, and it’s nothing revolutionary. However, it is an entertaining and lighthearted read when you just want something to make you feel good.

There is one problem with this book. It’s the main character, Jake. He is a raging misogynist. The women he comes across are either “tramps” who desperately want to sleep with him, or they’re his best friend. There is absolutely no in between. He’s very protective of his best friend, Emily. Until he gets feelings for her and it doesn’t go his way. Then he picks up and moves to an entirely different country. Where he makes an other woman best friend that he starts sleeping with. Women only exist for this man to sleep with because he’s good looking and wealthy. I cannot believe that a woman wrote this. Or I can because this male character is extremely one sided.

On the other hand, the woman main character, Jess, is extremely well written. She is a developed character with complicated emotions. She has past family trauma that she has to work through in the book. She has character development throughout the story. The prose that is used to write her is at times very beautiful. Her history is interesting, and the way that she sees the world is interesting. This book would have been much better if we only got Jess’s point of view. Her character is the only thing that kept me reading and interested in this story.

Overall, I think this is a great read if you are looking for something that you don’t have to think too much about. I would recommend this book to anyone that wants to read a book that will just make them warm and fuzzy. It’s a cute romance that has a happy ending.

I did receive an advanced copy of this book from the author and publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Absolutely captivating! This book had me hooked from the very first page. The characters were so well-developed. 5 stars all the way!

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

I read this book as a standalone , not having read the previous books and really enjoyed it . Jess and Jake’s story, as room mates with benefits. As their relationship develops a trip to New York means they have to confront newly developed feelings.
A funny, emotional read which I would recommend
Thank you to Netgalley, Boldwood Books and Laura Carter for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review

Apparently this book was part 3 in a series called Brits in Manhattan which I didn't knew and I would recommend you the first two books before reading this one even though it is kind of a stand alone.

I haven't read the first two but I did find it being a good read that is giving us a bit of sass and a nice amount of spice.

I think I would have enjoyed it better if I had read the other two books.

really enjoyed this book! There was something appealing about these characters and their vulnerability. I was drawn to them are cared what would happen.

Jake Harrington, a New Yorker, has relocated to London, away from his ex and her betrayal. Jess share a flat with Jake and a ‘friends with benefits’ arrangement; one where she doesn’t have to expose herself to being hurt again. However, when they take a trip to the US, they both end up wondering if they want more.

This book is full of ups and downs, highs and lows, and love. The relationship between Jake and Jess is endearing and fun. I just kept on wanting to read and it went quickly. I would definitely seek out and read more books by Laura Carter.

Many thanks to Boldwood Books, NetGalley, and the author, for the opportunity to read this eARC for my honest review.

This book focus on Jake Harrington and his roommate Jess. Their casual NSA arrangement becomes complicated when they travel to New York and realize their feelings for each other go beyond just sex. Jake, still reeling from a past relationship with Emily, finds himself drawn to Jess but must navigate her fear of love. The book is praised for its sizzling chemistry between the characters, strong friendships, and realistic portrayal of love's challenges. Laura Carter's writing is lauded for its brilliance and ability to create an immersive and captivating story. Fans of the series eagerly anticipate more from this talented author.

I’m gutted by this, because with the length and synopsis, I thought it would have made for a fun palette cleanser, but I didn’t get that.
Unfortunately there was some major problematic references in this that really put me off and ruined the mood. The prologue contained fatphobic comments whilst a chapter halfway in had a totally out the blue referenced to necrophilia and again, ruined the mood.
I don’t think I was majorly obsessing over the story or characters but I’d have been happy to give it 3 star if it wasn’t for the problematic comments.
I’m sorry to the author that this may not be the most positive review, but unfortunately the comments made me feel uncomfortable.
Thank you to NetGalley for the arc :)

Firstly, apologies for the late feedback for this book. Not sure why my original feedback didn’t post.

So, I liked the premise of this book. The cover caught my attention and the London backdrop appealed!

Unfortunately, I never felt fully engaged in the storyline or in the two main characters. I persevered and finished the story, but just something was missing for me.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for my advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review 📚

2⭐️ as really enjoyed other work by author!

My only issue is that British accent is way hotter than american accent. that being said this book will have their adaptation someday because it has everything

This is the second book in the series that I have read and I am loving it!!! I can't get enough of this book and Jake and Jess. Live love love. Absolutely perfect romance that is my new obsession!! I have to go get the book I missed in this series!!
I just reviewed Friends With Benefits by Laura Carter. #FriendsWithBenefits #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

I binged the Brits in Manhattan series back to back and I’m sorry to say but this series was just not for me. I didn’t like the 4th one because of the weird MMC but when I went into this one I totally thought I would love it because hello the MMC is in the same job field as me but overall it just wasn’t enjoyable for me. I was bored throughout the book

This book was not for me. The characters and plot didn’t suck me in at the beginning and this I was never able to fully invest in this book. I’m sorry I can’t recommend this book.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the ARC.

The synopsis of this book makes it sound like the happy feel good book of the summer, however it reads like the author added a lot of tropes and cliches into an AI auto bot. And that auto bot hated women.


The MMC Jake was insufferable, and just unlikeable. The whole world was out to get him but he was supposed to be a stand up guy who could get any/every woman he wanted
The FMC Jess was so bland and supposed to come across as ‘quirky’ because she was a clothes designer but her designs has a twist.

For a book under 250 pages I wanted to DNF it too often I did t as I hoped the ending would pay off,

It didn’t
The FMC has supposed deep down trauma stopping her from ever falling in love yet somehow Jake made it all go away by just proposing to her. There was little to zero effort put into building a relationship and doing the mental health work that was clearly needed for both of them

This is the 3rd book of the 'Brits in Manhattan' series, and I think it might also be my favorite one so far. Two people who have fallen into a friends with benefits agreement, but who are also best friends and love each other. What could possibly go wrong. And they aren't more than friends, says everyone but them. I enjoyed the banter, the fact that there was more of Sarah in the book, what an iconic character, and I loved seeing the growth of Jess from childhood to her current age. The flashbacks were lovely, The book is easy read and follow, and I can't wait for the 4th book!

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

I wasn't a fan of either of the leads of this story so sadly wasn't invested I the love story. In particular I'm not sure Jake was someone I cared about.

The book Friends with Benefits was an enjoyable read. I would recommend any book written by Laura Carter. Happy Reading!

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely.

Thank you to netgalley and Boldwood Books for allowing me to read Friends With Benefits by Laura Carter was very cute and predictable but overall I still enjoyed it.

In the bustling city of London, Jake Harrington, a high-flying New York investor, relishes the many aspects of his life abroad, from his lucrative hedge fund job to the way British women respond to his American accent. Among his varied experiences, he also enjoys a just-sex arrangement with his attractive British roommate, Jess—a deal that suits them both, with no commitments or risk of emotional entanglements.

Jess values the simplicity of her arrangement with Jake, finding solace in their fun and friendship without the complications of romantic involvement. Their easy dynamic takes an unexpected turn when they agree to embark on a trip to New York, where Jake must confront the ghosts of his past.

As they navigate the complexities of their evolving relationship, Jake and Jess discover that their connection goes beyond simple lust. When the boundaries of "no strings" become blurred, the question arises: Is Jake willing to take the ultimate gamble on something more profound than casual companionship? "A Vacation Gamble" is a tale of friendship, desire, and the unforeseen twists that can transform a carefree arrangement into something much more profound.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

Not my kinda book. I wasn’t a mega fan of the first one in the series, but thought, “Oh, I’ll give this one a try because surely it’s different!” But here we are with another meh review. Not the best premise for a book with a love triangle of an ex and a fling, and the characters just weren’t super developed for me. Overall, not my fav. Thanks for the opportunity to read!