Thank you to #NetGalley for an ARC of Friends With Benefits by Marisa Kanter.

I really appreciated the representation in this romance. The main character Evie has a chronic illness and this is incorporated to reflect the challenges that one would have with this illness in the United States. Evie must be mindful of her career moves because she needs health insurance to maintain her remission status with her IBD. Evie has a best friend, our mmc, Theo who has been by her side since they met in dance class as children. Theo and Evie have a long backstory and are so in sync with each other. Their romance felt genuine and I think they had good chemistry. I worried that it would be awkward because they were so focused on just "being friends." The novel also flashed back to their story over the years which really built up the characters and gave layers to Evie and Theo.

Overall this was a cute but well written romance, I would definitely suggest picking up this book if you are looking for a friends to lovers trope!

Friends with Benefits by Marisa Kanter had a good premise. I've always been a fan of both the roommates-to-lovers and the friends-to-lovers tropes. Sadly, this book was a DNF for me. I originally stopped at 10%, but decided to give it another try and ended up stopping at about 16%.

There were several things I struggled with in this novel. One, the way it was written made me feel kind of disconnected from the main characters (Evie & Theo). Maybe because it was narrated in a third person POV. Two, I got tired of Evie's victim mentality very quickly. I understand that Crohn's is extremely difficult to live with, as I have a couple friends with the condition, but Evie's attitude was frustrating. Third, there was no chemistry evident between Evie and Theo. And finally, it was just simply too political for me. My little escapist soul doesn't want to spend it's relaxation time being angry about the patriarchy, toxic masculinity, racism, and problem parents that don't want their kid's 4th grade teacher lecturing them about politics and appropriation (all within about the first 2 chapters).

2/5 stars. I loved that Evie's career was being a Foley Artist. It's something entirely new to me, and I enjoyed the descriptions about her work. While I liked the idea of the plot, I was simply not the intended audience for this book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Marisa Kanter, and Celadon Books for the opportunity to read the ARC of this novel. All opinions are my own.

Thank you Netgalley and Celadon Books for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Friends to lovers, a marriage of convenience, I don't ever want to get married, chronic illness, parents who run away. This was a book that was enjoyable. A fun, quirky, read. I wanted some rom-com but I didn't laugh. The book gave you all the ick and the feels in the right places. It was a quick read and something to cleanse the pallet.

Thanks to NetGalley and Celadon Books for the advanced reader copy.

3.5 stars

When Evie Bloom finds herself apartmentless and unable to take her dream fellowship because she wouldn't have health insurance (as she suffers from Crohn's disease), her best friend, Theo proposes that they get married; then she could move in with him and would have his health insurance. In a dual POV romance, we learn that both best friends have been in love with the other for most of their lives. Will they finally figure out how to be vulnerable and tell the other?

This was a sweet friends to lovers romance, with two main characters who are nice and make you root for them, though the plot doesn't feel like it's breaking any new ground. The freshest part of the story was getting to peek behind the curtain of a little thought about role in Hollywood production: the foley artist. Getting to see how Evie does her job, and how much she loves it, was a nice twist on being in the Hollywood world.

Friends with Benefits is out May 6, 2025.

"Knowing something is impossible but still wanting it." Friends With Benefits by Marisa Kanter is her debut adult novel. If you are looking for a charming romcom, you have found it. There is a twist on the traditional 'friends with benefits' and now it is 'married for benefits.' Most of the book takes place in Pasadena, California where the novel's heroine, Evie, is an aspiring Foley artist. It was interesting to learn a bit about who creates the sound effects we hear in and film and television. Both main characters experienced difficult parent-child relationships and the book works through this with realistic feelings. Looking forward to more from Marisa.

Grateful to read an eARC of this book.

- Marriage of convenience
- Friends to lovers (best friends since childhood)
- Chronic illness, Jewish and bi rep
- Healing journey
- Secret pining
- Dual timeline
- Third-person
- 3.5 stars

Evie and Theo have been BFFs since childhood. Evie, an aspiring Foley artist with Chron's and abandonment issues, needs health insurance in order to accept her dream fellowship, while Theo, a teacher still grieving his mom, needs to stay in his rent-controlled apartment. The solution seems simple: marry each other so Evie can have health benefits and so Theo can meet the income threshold. Sounds simple, except that Evie has never wanted to get married and Theo has held a torch for her for years.

I really enjoyed this book! The characters were diverse, likable and complex without being too much. Theo's students brought a wonderful levity. Kanter has the rare ability to write spice from a third-person POV and have it not be weird. Her writing style was poetic at times, which I enjoyed. Their character arcs and individual growth made sense and were realistic. The dialogue reflected the nature of everyone's relationships and the ending was total perfection. The story wasn't predictable, either, which I love.

The main thing I was missing was tension! I wanted an almost-kiss or a too-long hold between them, instead of accidental cuddling and then The Kiss. I was also waiting for something in the flashbacks to bridge the gap between Caro being mean at Evie's first dance class to the rest of their relationship. Like, did Evie let it go? Was Caro better after the first class? And I didn't like how political it was in places, becoming preachy at times. I don't want to read about health insurance issues. (Also, and this is a thing that no one but Jewish people who even know this would pick up on, but Lori's burial wasn't how Judaism does it. You're not buried in an outfit, you don't choose a casket and people shovel dirt into the grave, not sprinkle it over it. So that took me out of the story a little bit.)

Thank you so much for the ARC! Looking forward to reading more from this author.

Friends with Benefits by Marisa Kanter is a compelling contemporary romance that stands out with its exploration of friendship, love, and self-discovery. The story revolves around two best friends navigating the complexities of their relationship when romantic feelings enter the equation. Kanter’s writing shines with relatable characters, witty dialogue, and a perfect blend of humor and heartfelt moments. What I particularly enjoyed was how the book delves into the importance of communication and boundaries, making it more than just a romantic tale—it’s also a reflection on personal growth and understanding. The chemistry between the characters feels authentic and makes their journey all the more engaging.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: marriage for benefits is a troupe I didn't know I needed.

Evie and Theo have been friends practically forever, and in love with each other on and off since then. When Evie gets a once in a lifetime fellowship, there's just one problem: It doesn't have health benefits, and a diagnosis of Chron's means she cannot be without health insurance. Her grandparents are also selling the bungalow she's lived in forever. Enter Theo: His roommates just moved out, and he needs roommates. Also, he's a teacher, so while he doesn't get paid much he at least has decent health insurance.

I did honestly get tired of Evie's attitude towards the end. The whole "woe is me, but I'm going to be just like the mother I despise and 'take a beat' while pressuring you to speak to your POS father" became grating towards the end. the "I love him, but hate marriage," also got annoying. Understandable, but annoying.

Thanks, NG!

Friends with Benefits by Marisa Kanter is a heartfelt friends-to-lovers romance that masterfully combines humor, emotional depth, and timely themes. The story follows Evie, a talented dancer managing her chronic illness, and Theo, a dedicated teacher, as they navigate a marriage of convenience to secure health insurance. Their journey from platonic friends to romantic partners is both touching and engaging.​

What to Expect:
-Authentic Representation: The novel offers a genuine portrayal of living with a chronic illness, providing readers with insight and empathy. ​
-Dynamic Characters: Evie and Theo's growth is compelling, showcasing their vulnerabilities and strengths as they confront personal challenges. ​
-Emotional Depth: Kanter skillfully balances humor with poignant moments, making the characters' experiences both relatable and inspiring. ​

For fans of friends-to-lovers romances that delve into real-life issues with warmth and authenticity, Friends with Benefits is a must-read.​

#FriendsWithBenefits #MarisaKanter #ChronicIllnessRepresentation #FriendsToLovers #BookTokRecs

I fun twist on the typical “friends with benefits” trope. Evie felt like a real, well rounded character with flaws, growth, traumas, and passion. I loved the relationship between Evie and Theo, how real the grief of losing a parent and having a parent choose to leave you felt. What I didn’t love? This overwhelming miscommunication. It went on quite literally to the second to last chapter and it just was TOO much.

Friends With Benefits is the kind of premise that is right up my alley. Fake marriage? Forced proximity? Childhood best friends to lovers? SIGN ME UP! This book was not as much of a blast as I'd hoped it would be, as the edges of this romance were tinged with grief. This book was a bit messy and complicated, but what childhood best friends grow up without a little bit of tension and conflict? I wished there was better communication between Evie and Theo, and as the reader, I often wished I could transport myself into this book and shake them both by the shoulders. They both love dragging their feet and are terrified of disappointing and upsetting the other, but perhaps that's why it took them so long to get together in the first place. Plus, there wouldn't be a whole novel if they just told each other they were in love. Friends with Benefits is more aptly called Friends who have Communication Issues. I won't lie though, I did enjoy this book because of the humor, the side characters, and of course, the happily ever after.

Friends to Lovers, Marriage of Convenience, Found Family—these are some of my favorite tropes, and Marisa Kanter's Friends with Benefits weaves them beautifully into the story of Evie and Theo. While it took me a little time to fully immerse myself in the book, once I did, I couldn’t put it down.
What I appreciated most was how the characters' hesitation wasn't driven by typical miscommunication but rather by a thoughtful weighing of the pros and cons of taking their relationship to the next level. This added a layer of depth to their connection that felt genuine and refreshing.
If Friends with Benefits were a movie, it would definitely be my go-to comfort rom-com. It's the perfect blend of heart, humor, and the sweet tension of friends navigating the possibility of something more.

Thank you to Marisa Kanter, Celadon Books, and NetGalley for providing access to this Advance Reader Copy!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishing house for giving me the opportunity to read this book. I greatly appreciate it. I did dnf this book about half way through but while I didn't love the forced feel of the romance and absolutely loved the characters individually. Evelyn (Evie) is an inspiring foley artist whose health issues and lack of insurance put a damper on following hers dreams. Her best friend Theo is an elementary teacher who loves what he does but can't get approval for apartments on his own. Together following Theo's plan they marry for the benefits.

three point five out of five. Well-written emotional roller coaster that would make a great movie. It could have been a five but I feel like the same thing happened a few to many times for me, causing the story to become a might but frustrating.

Thank you Netgalley and Celadon books for the ARC of this book! Evie and Theo were such likable characters, though Evie’s plight was harder to empathize with. Though I thoroughly enjoyed it, the back and forth of “will they?” And “won’t they” got monotonous about a third of the way through the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon Books for an advance copy.

———— All thoughts are my own.

3.25 ⭐️
ARC / Releases May 6, 2025

When the benefits are medical and housing. This story is a slow-burn love that starts with friendship. It’s also a bit sad and filled with missed opportunities. There are a lot of unspoken feelings and the fear of losing the best friend you’ve ever had, and the hurt that comes with trying to take a risk to be more.

The blurb had me hooked, and when I started it, I still was. Evie, our lovely but frustrating main character, aspires to be a Foley Artist, creating the sounds that bring movies to life. It’s an incredibly cool career, and I’m so glad you shared that with us. Evie has the opportunity to advance her Foley career, but it doesn’t include health insurance, which is a necessity. Enter Theo, her lovable best friend, who is so in love with her. He’s an elementary school teacher, and when his roommate situation changes, he is in need of another to cover the rent.

The health insurance is a big part of the story, and it might not be everyone’s cup of tea if they’re looking for more fluff in their romances.

I have love/hate feelings with this friendship; it’s a little bit toxic.

Evie is so self-sabotaging that you might want to shake sense into her for 85% of the book, and she does make it hard to see them together romantically at times. My heart breaks for Theo throughout too, because he is so down bad for this woman, and she is just so set in her beliefs.

I'm kind of 50/50 with this book. I think you'll either like it or you won't.

Evie and Theo are childhood best friends who each find themselves in a housing crisis. The solution they land on is to get married so that Theo can keep his rent controlled LA apartment and so that Evie can have good healthcare benefits to keep her condition under control. They are also both secretly in love with each other (to no one’s surprise 🤣). Oh and one other thing, Evie doesn’t believe in marriage.

Friends with Benefits follows these two as they chase their dreams while navigating their new fake marriage, their hidden feelings for each other, and their past traumas.

This was a cute little rom com. It was interesting reading about the behind the scenes work of Foley artists and I couldn’t help but become attached to all of the side characters like Pep and Mo, Imogen, and Theo’s class. I liked the awareness the story brought to healthcare and benefit hurdles that many of us face. My critique is that it went on just a little too long but would still recommend for a mostly lighthearted read.

Thank you to Net Galley, Celadon Books, and Marisa Kanter for an ARC of this book in exchange for honest review. Friends with Benefits will be available on May 6th!

I really enjoyed this childhood friends to lovers, marriage of convenience for health benefits romance that has bisexual dancer Evie and Jewish teacher Theo agreeing to get married so Evie can benefit from Theo's health insurance.

Treating Evie's Crohn's is expensive and on a dancer's wages she often struggles to pay. When Theo offers to marry Evie things start to heat up as they spend more and more time together. I loved the flashbacks to their past, the diversity and disability rep (Evie's Crohn's and chronic pain) and the excellent grief and mental health rep (Theo lost his mother to cancer and has anxiety).

This was also great on audio narrated by Gail Shalan and GM Hakim. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review! This is perfect for fans of other marriage for health benefits/insurance books like Would you rather by Allison Ashley, In your eyes by Molly McCarthy, Before us by Jewel E. Ann or Our ride to forever by Julie Olivia.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I enjoyed the dialogue, the chronic illness representation, and the multiple timelines of Evie and Theo’s relationship. The book did feel a bit bloated, but I also get anxious with tropes involving miscommunication/secret-decisions-that-come-out-unexpectedly, so maybe that’s why. Overall, an enjoyable read!

Thank you to Netgalley for this arc. Theo is facing an eviction and can't live on his own. Evie is an aspiring Foley artist and wants to take a fellowship opportunity, but has chronic illness and need health insurance. This is a marriage of convenience story done right.