A review by hellowildflower
Friends With Benefits by Laura Carter

medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

✦ Friends to lovers 
✦ Return to Hometown
✦ Roommates
✦ Only one bed

This felt like it was written by a man. The way the author writes about women is so hard to read. 
It truly feels like the author has never met another woman before. They way they describe what ‘all women want’ is insane. Have we not learnt that the male gaze and female gaze are very different? This book feels as thought it was completely written through the male gaze. 

Jake is insufferable. He thinks he’s above everyone else, including his friends which he doesn’t even seem to like so why be friends with them?

I like the idea of the book. Taking a friend along with you when you go back to your hometown to keep you company because your ex will be there. That’s a very fun premise. I just can’t get past the writing. 

A few specific things I had a problem with 
  • Fatphobia on page one.
  • Calling grown women ‘girls’ instead of ‘women’.
  • Calling women loose, milfs, chicks.
  • Side characters introducing their girlfriend’s and calling them ‘crazy and annoying as hell’.
  • Jake rating how ‘sexy’ Jess’s outfits were. Most of them were outfits she made herself and always said they looked bad???
  • Using the phrase ‘man-hug’. It’s 2023. We can just say hug. 
  • The whole ‘he’s mean to you because he likes you’ thing is SO harmful and should not be put into a book as a ‘fun and cute’ little joke. It’s how people explain away abusive relationships and is just disgusting. 

Emily and Jake were not dating and he’s acting like because he was nice to Emily when they were kids she owed him everything. 
He was sleeping with a bunch of different women in college but she couldn’t sleep with anyone but him? And of course it’s her fault they’re not friends? No. He’s an entitled asshole. 
He also proposes the same day he knows his brother is going to propose which is a complete dick move. 

I was extremely disappointed and honestly, offended by the content in this book. 
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