A review by pucking_reading
Mutual Benefits by Jen Rowan

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted slow-paced

4.0

🌟- 4  / 🌶 - 2.5

Dual POV & HEA 

 

​🇦​​🇷​​🇨​  🇷​​🇪​​🇻​​🇮​​🇪​​🇼

I had the opportunity to receive an ARC of Mutual Benefits, and what a great first book from Jen Rowan! 

New to town NHL player, Austin is recovering from a car accident that left him unable to play hockey for the last year. Catalina, or Jacks as Austin lovingly calls her, is your friendly neighborhood barista slash romance writer. After meeting over spilled coffee, when Austin's new job leads him to needing a fake girlfriend - the pretty girl he spilled coffee on was the perfect choice. The two become immediately close as they spend time together, sharing the darkest parts of themselves with each other as they learn to heal. 

Austin is A RESPECTFUL KING. Always taking into consideration Catalinas feelings and what he can do to make her feel respected and valued. Seriously, every man should take lessons from him. He was exactly what Jacks deserved after the assault she endured in her youth. 

Catalina is such a relatable character with her insecurities and feelings of being the background character in her life. I think many people can resonate with that and see themselves in her. Something that is often hard to do in a book character. 

The group of side characters made up of Austin's teammates was fantastic. They were all so jovial and full of good vibes. Seeing them accept Jacks into their little hockey player - found- family was so sweet. 

I loved the growth that both MCs showed through the book. Learning that others deserve to value them as they do themselves, and learning how to move past the demons of their past.  

This book is lengthy at just short of 550 pages, which in itself is fine but it is a little slow and gets a little too wordy at times. For this I gave it ⅘ stars. Overall Jen did a fantastic job and I highly recommend adding it to your TBR. 

-----

​🇹​​🇷​​🇴​​🇵​​🇪​​🇸

✸ fake dating

✸ friends to lovers 

✸ slow burn 

✸ mental health rep 

 

​🇹​​🇷​​🇮​​🇬​​🇬​​🇪​​🇷​​🇸​

✸ car accident (off page) 

✸ sexual assault (off page)  

✸ blackmail (by background character)