A review by dith_kusu
Boyfriend With Benefits by Allison Temple

4.0

The humor was really fun and I liked the writing style of this author, this is the first work I've read of hers and would look into more of her stuff. Was feeling myself heading into a reading slump there and this made for a nice breezy break that's maintaining my reading focus in between big intimidating books. The idea of this mysterious hippie ish reptile loving Viking large redhead bearded guy of a roommate in Gordo here who is a secret "independently wealthy" ex-tech guy, and the main POV of Bailey the go-getting corporate grinding VP of sales who kickstarts the age-old favorite trope of roommates turned pretend boyfriends turned hookup and real boyfriends, is delicious. To me, this was really cute and fun, and their trip to Vegas, Gordo's eccentricities, there's only one bed in our luxurious suite with the direct view of the Bellagio fountains, that's all a ride. But the second half where they actually become something more and Bailey works out his issues with his messy corporate workplace, all seemed rushed and not as well developed as the fun of the first half. Didn't get enough of a sense of Gordo's character in how and why he harbored feelings for Bailey before this Vegas retreat, not enough buildup behind them exchanging "I love yous" where before they were only just figuring out they liked sleeping together besides just being the platonic roommates that they were for the past two years. Bailey's also not the nicest main character, which fine. But while some of his career ambitions clouding his moral judgment for a time in the storyline, can be understandable, he doesn't come to his decision regarding his job from a place of rightness, but because of information revealed that he would've been set up at his work anyway and quitting was better for him anyways. No update either on what ended up happening to Bailey's work friend and ex-boss Lachlan? What was the whole deal with Bailey encountering a rogue chihuahua, was that just to foretell his animal sanctuary future? IDK. But overall this was a quick and fun time, more potential in the sheer cuteness of the premise than its execution being fully heartfelt, that's still got me hoping that the caliber of lovely human being that is Gordo the large redheaded secretly rich softie with the big heart, actually exists somewhere out there in the world.