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A review by frantically
Faking with Benefits by Lily Gold
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
3.5
Okay, so obviously I'm not reading a RH for realism β we all know what we're signing up for.
I was hooked on this from the first page and I really loved the first 3/4. Layla's a small business queen selling lingerie and the guys have a podcast giving relationship advice (it's not as bad as it sounds) and even though this is mainly erotica, those aspects outside of the relationship were well done.
The relationship development itself is great and you could see how much each of the guys cared for Layla in his own way. The fake dating was cute and I loved them "teaching" her How To Relationship. Layla is a really fun mc and can definitely be relatable for many readers. There's a lot of focus on Layla learning how to stand up for what she's into in bed and not being ashamed of that and I love that we got that in a mainstream romance!
I do have to say, as a fellow conventionally attractive woman who is active in the dating scene and is also sometimes a bit awkward on first dates β you can't convince me this girl had 120 (!!) first dates without one (!!) second date. It's really not that hard. Idk if it was meant to be a she never WENT on second dates but not that she wasn't ever INVITED (because I've been known to do that π«£) but if it was, it wasn't written well.
Back to the dates she did get: I liked all the guys for the most part! Luke's a bit boring but nice, if I ever have to read another "aye" again, I'll come haunt Lily Gold's laptop but other than that, Zack was fun too. Love myself a playboy. The best one was of course Josh πππππππ It's so ridiculous how at the end his "mistakes" are put on the same level as the other guys, when his "mistake" is not telling Layla he's been crushing on her for years β my man, this is a fake dating romance, you don't need to apologize for that.
Before we get into the negatives, I wanna preface that I still recommend this book. I'm very critical when it comes to 75% breakups and their resolutions, more so than the average reviewer, but this was still a very engaging and fun read and I'm planning to read other books of the author. Nevertheless:
GOD, that breakup was Messyβ’. Zack lost his girlfriend/fiancee when they were both 18 (the reason why he can't commit or be in love bla bla bla) so he has one last fuck with Layla at Luke's ex's wedding (it's all a bit messy) before he breaks up with her. Layla then overhears Luke's ex (her ex-headmistress) basically call her a loose slut for how she acted at 16 (try to keep her up) and Luke is reminded of how much losing his first love hurt him, so he, too, breaks up with Layla. Josh does yell at Zack, at least.
Layla's then absolutely torn apart on social media, being called a slut, being accused for cheating on all of the guys after pictures of the wedding surface (because noone understands polyamory) and she loses a major business opportunity for her business. The guys put out one measly statement telling people "not to believe in rumors" and nothing more because they don't want to draw more attention to the drama β weird choice. Anyway, Layla's life is ruined, the guys are still living their (almost) best lives, numbers are great for them (and only them). In the ultimate millennial podcast guy move they make a 7h+ live stream trying to convince her to take them back.
As any self respecting woman would do, Layla doesn't accept this as an apology. Have I mentioned that I really love Layla? So, the guys all have to grovel separatly and we're all a big happy family again. I wish the guys would've spent more time groveling, there are chapters after that that could've been cut short, but it was still a good enough ending.
Super fun(ny) RH and definitely an engaging read but could've done with some more positive relationship development at the end!
3.5 β
I was hooked on this from the first page and I really loved the first 3/4. Layla's a small business queen selling lingerie and the guys have a podcast giving relationship advice (it's not as bad as it sounds) and even though this is mainly erotica, those aspects outside of the relationship were well done.
The relationship development itself is great and you could see how much each of the guys cared for Layla in his own way. The fake dating was cute and I loved them "teaching" her How To Relationship. Layla is a really fun mc and can definitely be relatable for many readers. There's a lot of focus on Layla learning how to stand up for what she's into in bed and not being ashamed of that and I love that we got that in a mainstream romance!
I do have to say, as a fellow conventionally attractive woman who is active in the dating scene and is also sometimes a bit awkward on first dates β you can't convince me this girl had 120 (!!) first dates without one (!!) second date. It's really not that hard. Idk if it was meant to be a she never WENT on second dates but not that she wasn't ever INVITED (because I've been known to do that π«£) but if it was, it wasn't written well.
Back to the dates she did get: I liked all the guys for the most part! Luke's a bit boring but nice, if I ever have to read another "aye" again, I'll come haunt Lily Gold's laptop but other than that, Zack was fun too. Love myself a playboy. The best one was of course Josh πππππππ It's so ridiculous how at the end his "mistakes" are put on the same level as the other guys, when his "mistake" is not telling Layla he's been crushing on her for years β my man, this is a fake dating romance, you don't need to apologize for that.
Before we get into the negatives, I wanna preface that I still recommend this book. I'm very critical when it comes to 75% breakups and their resolutions, more so than the average reviewer, but this was still a very engaging and fun read and I'm planning to read other books of the author. Nevertheless:
GOD, that breakup was Messyβ’. Zack lost his girlfriend/fiancee when they were both 18 (the reason why he can't commit or be in love bla bla bla) so he has one last fuck with Layla at Luke's ex's wedding (it's all a bit messy) before he breaks up with her. Layla then overhears Luke's ex (her ex-headmistress) basically call her a loose slut for how she acted at 16 (try to keep her up) and Luke is reminded of how much losing his first love hurt him, so he, too, breaks up with Layla. Josh does yell at Zack, at least.
Layla's then absolutely torn apart on social media, being called a slut, being accused for cheating on all of the guys after pictures of the wedding surface (because noone understands polyamory) and she loses a major business opportunity for her business. The guys put out one measly statement telling people "not to believe in rumors" and nothing more because they don't want to draw more attention to the drama β weird choice. Anyway, Layla's life is ruined, the guys are still living their (almost) best lives, numbers are great for them (and only them). In the ultimate millennial podcast guy move they make a 7h+ live stream trying to convince her to take them back.
As any self respecting woman would do, Layla doesn't accept this as an apology. Have I mentioned that I really love Layla? So, the guys all have to grovel separatly and we're all a big happy family again. I wish the guys would've spent more time groveling, there are chapters after that that could've been cut short, but it was still a good enough ending.
Super fun(ny) RH and definitely an engaging read but could've done with some more positive relationship development at the end!
3.5 β
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Grief, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Sexual assault, and Terminal illness
Minor: Eating disorder and Death of parent