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jamietherebelliousreader's review
4.0
4 stars. Such a unique and super romantic story. I’ve been meaning to pick up something from Noyes for a while so I’m glad that this was the first one. I think it was a really good place to start. The writing is good, the pacing is even, the characters are both very likable, the plot is fun, and the romance is so swoon worthy.
Jane and Morgan were absolutely perfect for each other. Morgan is afraid to love due to the death of her ex and my heart broke for her. She kept trying to push Jane away but I loved how persistent Jane was. She knew exactly why Morgan was pushing her away but wouldn’t let her do it without a fight. Their chemistry was on point and I loved the way their relationship developed. Also, the ending was really cute.
I enjoyed this immensely and I will definitely be picking up more from this author.
Jane and Morgan were absolutely perfect for each other. Morgan is afraid to love due to the death of her ex and my heart broke for her. She kept trying to push Jane away but I loved how persistent Jane was. She knew exactly why Morgan was pushing her away but wouldn’t let her do it without a fight. Their chemistry was on point and I loved the way their relationship developed. Also, the ending was really cute.
I enjoyed this immensely and I will definitely be picking up more from this author.
reflectiverambling_nalana's review
4.0
Temporary review: 4 for me, potentially higher for those who are usually romance readers.
E.J. Noyes knocked me off my feet with some of her previous works, regardless of the fact I claim not to like romance. What pushed the other series over was the larger events, family elements, and social conventions that were challenged. But Reaping the Benefits is not that type of book and it shouldn't be. It is very much a character piece.
What I do really like about the author is that she builds very solid character dynamics both between the intended love birds and their social networks. I love that there was also a nod to disability rep. Now I may be a bad liberal when I say that I don't need or want diverse reputation in everything I read. Not because it shouldn't be there, but because it shouldn't be included as a marketing tool or statement. Noyes seems to always exceptionally sensitive and considerate of whatever personal element she is representing.
She also has a great way of balancing the 'spice' of the novel in appealing but classy prose. And she doesn't use it as a crux of the story itself--which is something I wish even non-romance novelists would pay attention to more.
Great world building. Great take on many of the questions and complications of a paranormal setting and characters. Thoroughly enjoyable read. Absolutely phenomenal narration.
E.J. Noyes knocked me off my feet with some of her previous works, regardless of the fact I claim not to like romance. What pushed the other series over was the larger events, family elements, and social conventions that were challenged. But Reaping the Benefits is not that type of book and it shouldn't be. It is very much a character piece.
What I do really like about the author is that she builds very solid character dynamics both between the intended love birds and their social networks. I love that there was also a nod to disability rep. Now I may be a bad liberal when I say that I don't need or want diverse reputation in everything I read. Not because it shouldn't be there, but because it shouldn't be included as a marketing tool or statement. Noyes seems to always exceptionally sensitive and considerate of whatever personal element she is representing.
She also has a great way of balancing the 'spice' of the novel in appealing but classy prose. And she doesn't use it as a crux of the story itself--which is something I wish even non-romance novelists would pay attention to more.
Great world building. Great take on many of the questions and complications of a paranormal setting and characters. Thoroughly enjoyable read. Absolutely phenomenal narration.
trufyre's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
penandpages's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
angieinbooks's review
3.0
A paranormal romance was always going to be a hard sell for me since paranormal is not my go-to genre of choice—quite the opposite, in fact—but this is E.J. Noyes, so I was willing to look past the premise of the novel because Noyes hasn’t really steered me wrong. And she doesn’t here either, not really, but I would be more than happy for Noyes to move away from this direction going forward.
But my issue with this novel isn’t actually the paranormal element to it, even if I didn’t love it. My issue is the romance itself. I really liked Morgan and Jane. But I didn’t feel like the romance was very earned. We start the novel with an existing mutual attraction, and I guess that’s fine, except I didn’t get to experience the joy of really watching them grow this love from boss/employee to friends to lovers. They just seemed to be immediately on course to happily ever after, and I guess I wanted to go along that journey with them—not just watch jump into it mid progress.
And the ending? It’s absolutely the ending I wanted, so I’m not really complaining, but it was an ending possible because of the paranormal element, and that’s a bit of a cop out to me, which is one of the reasons I usually avoid novels where something imaginative (i.e. not possible in reality where we all live) can fix any and all issues.
I debated between 2 and 3 for this novel, but I enjoy Noyes’ writing so much that I’m giving it a 3 just for that.
But my issue with this novel isn’t actually the paranormal element to it, even if I didn’t love it. My issue is the romance itself. I really liked Morgan and Jane. But I didn’t feel like the romance was very earned. We start the novel with an existing mutual attraction, and I guess that’s fine, except I didn’t get to experience the joy of really watching them grow this love from boss/employee to friends to lovers. They just seemed to be immediately on course to happily ever after, and I guess I wanted to go along that journey with them—not just watch jump into it mid progress.
And the ending? It’s absolutely the ending I wanted, so I’m not really complaining, but it was an ending possible because of the paranormal element, and that’s a bit of a cop out to me, which is one of the reasons I usually avoid novels where something imaginative (i.e. not possible in reality where we all live) can fix any and all issues.
I debated between 2 and 3 for this novel, but I enjoy Noyes’ writing so much that I’m giving it a 3 just for that.
anujab's review
4.0
3 stars + 1 bonus star
Okay. So I finally read a EJ Noyes! Though now I feel as if I shouldn't have started with a paranormal one.
Okay. So I finally read a EJ Noyes! Though now I feel as if I shouldn't have started with a paranormal one.
jazi62's review
3.0
It started off really fun and funny but something happened and half way in I got bored
netgyrl's review
5.0
I have been blessed with a bunch of really good books lately and this is one of them. I listened to this one on Audible with the amazing Abby Craden narrating. I started this book with a goofy grin and ended with the same goofy grin. I loved every second of the journey.
I think the idea of how death works was well thought out and made enough sense that I was fine accepting it as-is and not trying to pick it apart or constantly asking a bunch of questions in my head.
Both MCs where great. I loved them both, but I have a give Morgana extra point if only because Abby gave her such a wonderful British accent and I am a total sucker for accents.
and finally: E.J. Noyes, ma'am, please, please, PLEASE consider another book in this universe where one of the MCs is CeCe LeMorte. Loved here sooooo much.
I think the idea of how death works was well thought out and made enough sense that I was fine accepting it as-is and not trying to pick it apart or constantly asking a bunch of questions in my head.
Both MCs where great. I loved them both, but I have a give Morgana extra point if only because Abby gave her such a wonderful British accent and I am a total sucker for accents.
and finally: E.J. Noyes, ma'am, please, please, PLEASE consider another book in this universe where one of the MCs is CeCe LeMorte. Loved here sooooo much.
00leah00's review
4.0
I finally around got to this slightly paranormal romance from Noyes. And I really liked it! It’s a little slow to start with all the info dumping in the beginning but then it really picks up.
I thought this was really funny and sweet (maybe a bit too sweet in the end.) I loved Morgan and Jane and could definitely see why Jane was so infatuated with Morgan. It was a little harder for me to see why Morgan was so into Jane but I decided to just go with it. I was pleasantly surprised by the lack of dark moment and miscommunication. Go Noyes :)
I enjoyed Morgan (death’s head minion) and Cici’s (death) dynamic. I was really impressed that two people who have known one another for centuries could still be such good friends
I thought this was really funny and sweet (maybe a bit too sweet in the end.) I loved Morgan and Jane and could definitely see why Jane was so infatuated with Morgan. It was a little harder for me to see why Morgan was so into Jane but I decided to just go with it. I was pleasantly surprised by the lack of dark moment and miscommunication. Go Noyes :)
I enjoyed Morgan (death’s head minion) and Cici’s (death) dynamic. I was really impressed that two people who have known one another for centuries could still be such good friends
josb's review
3.0
A decent book that was well written. It had an interesting concept but felt a little long at times.
I liked the care Noyes put into filling in the character's feelings and the way the world worked but felt like the character development stalled out at about the 70% mark and the book moved away from the original purpose which made it feel slow near the end.
The other issue was how the angsty bit of emotions were dealt with. I tend to be picky with characters who have the fear of heartbreak. I want to feel rewarded since that fear tends to be rooted in stubbornness and often results in childish reasoning that the reader has to be subjected to. I get some of the rationale as to why we had to put up with grade A stubbornness but the resolution just did not feel satisfying to me.
Certainly worth a read if you are looking for an alternate modern reality with a little bit of whimsy/magic. In addition, all of the characters are quite wholesome which was a nice change of pace.
I liked the care Noyes put into filling in the character's feelings and the way the world worked but felt like the character development stalled out at about the 70% mark and the book moved away from the original purpose which made it feel slow near the end.
The other issue was how the angsty bit of emotions were dealt with. I tend to be picky with characters who have the fear of heartbreak. I want to feel rewarded since that fear tends to be rooted in stubbornness and often results in childish reasoning that the reader has to be subjected to. I get some of the rationale as to why we had to put up with grade A stubbornness but the resolution just did not feel satisfying to me.
Certainly worth a read if you are looking for an alternate modern reality with a little bit of whimsy/magic. In addition, all of the characters are quite wholesome which was a nice change of pace.