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eliezrah's review
4.0
Boyfriend with Benefits was a sweet fake boyfriend/ friends to lovers book, which hapoen to be 2 of my favorite tropes. It was a quick read that kept me interested with every turn of the page. This was only my second book by Allison Temple, and I definitely want to read more.
I received an advanced copy and voluntarily gave my honest review.
I received an advanced copy and voluntarily gave my honest review.
louloureadsbooks's review against another edition
3.5
I enjoyed this short and sweet. Nice take on the fake boyfriend story. One of the main characters had a moment where he was a bit of an arse but redeemed himself.
adammm's review against another edition
5.0
In a true masterclass of how to write a humorous fake-boyfriend romance, Allison Temple in Boyfriend with Benefits achieves what no book I've read in months has managed: to make me write a book review. (I've been busy, okay? Grad school is kicking my ass over here.) A brief summary: after workaholic Bailey finds out that his childhood bully is his new boss, he makes the misguided attempt to insinuate that his straight roommate Gordo is his boyfriend to make himself look successful. Gordo - a possibly unemployed, reptile-raising, 6'6" space cadet of a man - is willing to play along with his scheme, and a working trip to Las Vegas leads to all sorts of shenanigans.
So this is just a freaking delightful book. I'm not even kidding. In this first-person narrative, Temple manages to construct a truly humorous, singular voice in Bailey, a type-A workaholic with the burning desire to prove himself despite the world - or rather, his former bully - being out to get him. As the novel progresses, Bailey gradually learns more about his roommate Gordo, and discovers that he is not who he thought he was. What I find so great about Bailey and his perspective is that he learns everything at the same time we the readers do, and his shock or happiness or pleasure are, in many ways, reflections of our own. In other words, Temple is a master of pacing.
Honestly, I don't really know what to say (which should probably be obvious by this point in the review). It's just a really fun read and one that I think is criminally overlooked in the scheme of m/m romance. Recommended if you like the fake boyfriend trope; size differences; depictions of characters on the asexual spectrum; lizards named Bernard; himbos (er, sort of); and emus.
So this is just a freaking delightful book. I'm not even kidding. In this first-person narrative, Temple manages to construct a truly humorous, singular voice in Bailey, a type-A workaholic with the burning desire to prove himself despite the world - or rather, his former bully - being out to get him. As the novel progresses, Bailey gradually learns more about his roommate Gordo, and discovers that he is not who he thought he was. What I find so great about Bailey and his perspective is that he learns everything at the same time we the readers do, and his shock or happiness or pleasure are, in many ways, reflections of our own. In other words, Temple is a master of pacing.
Honestly, I don't really know what to say (which should probably be obvious by this point in the review). It's just a really fun read and one that I think is criminally overlooked in the scheme of m/m romance. Recommended if you like the fake boyfriend trope; size differences; depictions of characters on the asexual spectrum; lizards named Bernard; himbos (er, sort of); and emus.
robazizo's review
3.0
A really mixed bag. I was ready to DNF a few chapters in due to the chaotic nature of Bailey's ramblings, loved the middle part and thought everything in the last part went way too fast. Overall there was just too much stuff cramped into a novella and the romance suffered from it.
janetted's review against another edition
4.0
A short, sweet, fake boyfriend/friends to lovers story that had me laughing out loud. Love Allison Temple’s sense of humor!
cutdeeptalkshit's review against another edition
5.0
Ugh. More please.
This was honestly adorable. Bailey and Gordo's relationship and the way it blossomed was so smooth and enjoyable to read. I'm so glad Jake the Jerk got was coming to him in the end. Honestly, this was a 6/5 for me but I adore everything Allison Temple has wrote. She's a one click author for sure.
This was honestly adorable. Bailey and Gordo's relationship and the way it blossomed was so smooth and enjoyable to read. I'm so glad Jake the Jerk got was coming to him in the end. Honestly, this was a 6/5 for me but I adore everything Allison Temple has wrote. She's a one click author for sure.
bharmonyauthor's review
5.0
Allison Temple is fast becoming one of my favorite authors for MM Romance.
I freaking loved Boyfriend with benefits. I'll admit that I went into this one blind, not even a peek at the blurb. So I was pleasantly surprised at who the love interest turned out to be after the first few chapters.
This book had plenty of drama, heat, and sexy times. Plus LOL moments that fit perfectly with Allison's writing style.
Give me a hunky bear with honey sweetness any day. And man did Allison deliver here. And Bailey... oh goodness. His high-strung personality made for a great storyline.
I freaking loved Boyfriend with benefits. I'll admit that I went into this one blind, not even a peek at the blurb. So I was pleasantly surprised at who the love interest turned out to be after the first few chapters.
This book had plenty of drama, heat, and sexy times. Plus LOL moments that fit perfectly with Allison's writing style.
Give me a hunky bear with honey sweetness any day. And man did Allison deliver here. And Bailey... oh goodness. His high-strung personality made for a great storyline.
reedkaye's review
5.0
I’m reviewing the audio edition. This is a cute, fun story. I really enjoyed it. It gave me the lightheartedness I wanted.
Bailey is somewhat oblivious to people around him. Yet he does get forced to pay attention to Jake. Jake does everything he can to irritate Bailey but the reason behind Jake’s focus on Bailey is for selfish reasons. At the same time, Bailey is roommates with Gordo. Bailey sees Gordo and a somewhat lazy, laid back straight guy. When Baily actually finds out who Gordo is, I had to laugh. The narration by Toby James was perfect. This is a great story especially for this time of year.
Bailey is somewhat oblivious to people around him. Yet he does get forced to pay attention to Jake. Jake does everything he can to irritate Bailey but the reason behind Jake’s focus on Bailey is for selfish reasons. At the same time, Bailey is roommates with Gordo. Bailey sees Gordo and a somewhat lazy, laid back straight guy. When Baily actually finds out who Gordo is, I had to laugh. The narration by Toby James was perfect. This is a great story especially for this time of year.
mal_bookdragon's review
4.0
Sweet and sexy quick read
Good read. One thing besides a slightly predictable plot was the fact that it was single POV from Baileys perspective. I would have loved to see in Gordo’s head because he’s my favorite kind of hero. Still worth the read.
Good read. One thing besides a slightly predictable plot was the fact that it was single POV from Baileys perspective. I would have loved to see in Gordo’s head because he’s my favorite kind of hero. Still worth the read.
cadiva's review
4.0
I do love a good fake boyfriend romance and this novella from Allison offers up one which hits all the right notes.
Bailey took a bit of warming up to, which I really appreciated.
This book twists some of the usual plot steps to give the reader a pretty neurotic character who is pretty much a workaholic and occasionally a bit thoughtless.
Gordo, on the other hand, is a bit of an enigma and I loved his chilled way of life. Bailey's nemesis Jake was a slimy creep and I liked how his plotline ended.
Overall this was an enjoyable and easy read and I wouldn't mind catching up with Bailey and Gordo again!
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
Bailey took a bit of warming up to, which I really appreciated.
This book twists some of the usual plot steps to give the reader a pretty neurotic character who is pretty much a workaholic and occasionally a bit thoughtless.
Gordo, on the other hand, is a bit of an enigma and I loved his chilled way of life. Bailey's nemesis Jake was a slimy creep and I liked how his plotline ended.
Overall this was an enjoyable and easy read and I wouldn't mind catching up with Bailey and Gordo again!
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.