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Friends with Benefits #1
Friends With Partial Benefits
Alternate Cover Edition for ASIN B0057XY24K
Jillian Grayson is a disillusioned divorcée and best-selling romance novelist who can’t write a chapter without her hunky male heartthrob suffering ED, an STD, or even worse. Brian Nash is a tennis-obsessed, college senior who’s unlucky in love and the roommate and best friend of Jillian’s son, Rob. When Rob brings Brian home for spring break and he meets the surprisingly young and also tennis passionate Jillian, their shared interest quickly develops into an intense mutual attraction. After nearly giving in to their feelings, they hatch a plan, while under the influence (of something more than just the perfect Miami night), to be Friends With Partial Benefits complete with rules to define the boundaries. Will the lonely pair continue with this distinctive relationship, actually explore their desires or will they discover all of it is a really bad idea?
Filled with passion, longing, surprises and humor, the first book in Friends With… Series is hard to put down and will leave you laughing out loud and slightly sleep deprived.
Jillian Grayson is a disillusioned divorcée and best-selling romance novelist who can’t write a chapter without her hunky male heartthrob suffering ED, an STD, or even worse. Brian Nash is a tennis-obsessed, college senior who’s unlucky in love and the roommate and best friend of Jillian’s son, Rob. When Rob brings Brian home for spring break and he meets the surprisingly young and also tennis passionate Jillian, their shared interest quickly develops into an intense mutual attraction. After nearly giving in to their feelings, they hatch a plan, while under the influence (of something more than just the perfect Miami night), to be Friends With Partial Benefits complete with rules to define the boundaries. Will the lonely pair continue with this distinctive relationship, actually explore their desires or will they discover all of it is a really bad idea?
Filled with passion, longing, surprises and humor, the first book in Friends With… Series is hard to put down and will leave you laughing out loud and slightly sleep deprived.
217 pages, ebook
First published June 1, 2011
1724 people are currently reading
5467 people want to read
About the author
Luke Young
25 books502 followersWant a free book? Download the Luke Young Starter Library! Visit my website:
https://lukeyoungbooks.com
Luke Young is a #1 Amazon Comic Fiction best-selling author and writer of five iBookstore top 300 and Amazon Rom Com best-sellers. He’s a husband, father, dog dad and dark chocolate lover. He writes hilarious and sexy romances with characters his readers fall in love with—from his reverse age-gap Friends with Benefits series to standalone romantic comedies—he loves making his readers laugh out loud.
Luke's Friends With Benefits series has garnered more than 6000 5-Star reviews (between Amazon, Goodreads and the iBookstore). Friends with Partial Benefits, is the sexy and hilarious first book in the series, and it’s been downloaded over 2 million times.
His latest work, Blame it on Emerald, is a contemporary romance stand alone filled with laughter, a full range of emotions, tons of sexual tension and heat.
He loves to hear from readers:
Personal Newsletter: https://bit.ly/LukeYoungNewsletter
Website: https://lukeyoungbooks.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LukeYoungAuthor
https://lukeyoungbooks.com
Luke Young is a #1 Amazon Comic Fiction best-selling author and writer of five iBookstore top 300 and Amazon Rom Com best-sellers. He’s a husband, father, dog dad and dark chocolate lover. He writes hilarious and sexy romances with characters his readers fall in love with—from his reverse age-gap Friends with Benefits series to standalone romantic comedies—he loves making his readers laugh out loud.
Luke's Friends With Benefits series has garnered more than 6000 5-Star reviews (between Amazon, Goodreads and the iBookstore). Friends with Partial Benefits, is the sexy and hilarious first book in the series, and it’s been downloaded over 2 million times.
His latest work, Blame it on Emerald, is a contemporary romance stand alone filled with laughter, a full range of emotions, tons of sexual tension and heat.
He loves to hear from readers:
Personal Newsletter: https://bit.ly/LukeYoungNewsletter
Website: https://lukeyoungbooks.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LukeYoungAuthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 660 reviews
September 7, 2012
This book hooked me from the start. Not only is it funny, hot and a great read, but it's funny, hot and a great read. Why aren't you reading it yet?! The best part is that the author is just as funny and awesome in person. And by in person I mean via email. I loved every single character in this book and the chemistry between Jillian and Brian was spot on and written perfectly. I didn't care at all about the age difference or the fact that Brian was friends with Jillian's son. I just cared about the two of them getting together. Loved every word.
A note for my friends who like the smut, there are spicier versions of this series written under the pen name Ian Dalton, which I will absolutely be reading. So if you like your stories with a higher x-rated factor, check them out!
I am a huge fan of Luke Young/Ian Dalton and will read everything he writes and so should you!
A note for my friends who like the smut, there are spicier versions of this series written under the pen name Ian Dalton, which I will absolutely be reading. So if you like your stories with a higher x-rated factor, check them out!
I am a huge fan of Luke Young/Ian Dalton and will read everything he writes and so should you!
May 9, 2012
This was a freebie on amazon so I decided to give it a shot.
There were so many great reviews but I just couldn't get into it.
Brian and Rob are suitemates in college. Rob has a been in a long term relationship with his high school girlfriend while Brian is a bit shy with the ladies. Brian falls for Natalie who does nothing but play games with him. He is head over heels for her and she just can't seem to commit and take the next step. To take his mind off Natalie, Rob drags Brian home with him for Spring Break. And thats where all hell breaks loose.
Now...this is where I have some issues with the book. There are spoilers below...
First I'll start with Rob. He seems like a good friend to Brian. Until you learn he is sleeping with Natalie. The author explains this as the first girl Brian has really liked. And Brian is actively pursuing this girl and talking to Rob about it. Not only is Rob betraying his best friend...he is also cheating on his long time girlfriend. So as much as I liked Rob in the beginning of this book, he really just isnt a good person.
Second is Brian. Now Brian is described as the nice guy. He likes tennis and is shy in front of girls. He is so nice to Natalie its hard to hate him. Until he goes home with Rob. He immediately clicks with Rob's mom Jillian. Now...I get he is an adult, and at the end of the book you find out he is acutally older than 18 - but this is his best friends mom. Do you want your best friend sleeping with your mom? I don't think so. Luckily for Brian Rob is also a shitty friend.
Now....My biggest issue is with Jillian. She is divorced and starting her life over after catching her husband cheating on her. I wouldn't have minded her affair with Brian but the way she goes about it is just plain creepy. When she is in his room watching him sleep...and then moves his boxers to make his penis show. Thats creepy. Although there was a spark between them, he is staying in her home as her son's guest. It is unacceptable to sneak a peak at his package. And it did't stop there...After an intense tennis game between her and Brian she spied on him masterbating in the shower. It is clear that Jillian and Brian are drawn to eachother. But than just go to it.
As for the plot its really predictable. Obviously Brian and Jillian spend most of the novel trying to avoid their attraction...they even come up with a comprise "friends with partial benefits". This allows them to see each other naked as long as they don't touch. Obviously this will never work. And they decide not to pursue their relationship. As soon as Brian realizes that Natalie is not really the girl for him, he runs back to Miami to settle his unfinished business with Jillian.
There were so many great reviews but I just couldn't get into it.
Brian and Rob are suitemates in college. Rob has a been in a long term relationship with his high school girlfriend while Brian is a bit shy with the ladies. Brian falls for Natalie who does nothing but play games with him. He is head over heels for her and she just can't seem to commit and take the next step. To take his mind off Natalie, Rob drags Brian home with him for Spring Break. And thats where all hell breaks loose.
Now...this is where I have some issues with the book. There are spoilers below...
First I'll start with Rob. He seems like a good friend to Brian. Until you learn he is sleeping with Natalie. The author explains this as the first girl Brian has really liked. And Brian is actively pursuing this girl and talking to Rob about it. Not only is Rob betraying his best friend...he is also cheating on his long time girlfriend. So as much as I liked Rob in the beginning of this book, he really just isnt a good person.
Second is Brian. Now Brian is described as the nice guy. He likes tennis and is shy in front of girls. He is so nice to Natalie its hard to hate him. Until he goes home with Rob. He immediately clicks with Rob's mom Jillian. Now...I get he is an adult, and at the end of the book you find out he is acutally older than 18 - but this is his best friends mom. Do you want your best friend sleeping with your mom? I don't think so. Luckily for Brian Rob is also a shitty friend.
Now....My biggest issue is with Jillian. She is divorced and starting her life over after catching her husband cheating on her. I wouldn't have minded her affair with Brian but the way she goes about it is just plain creepy. When she is in his room watching him sleep...and then moves his boxers to make his penis show. Thats creepy. Although there was a spark between them, he is staying in her home as her son's guest. It is unacceptable to sneak a peak at his package. And it did't stop there...After an intense tennis game between her and Brian she spied on him masterbating in the shower. It is clear that Jillian and Brian are drawn to eachother. But than just go to it.
As for the plot its really predictable. Obviously Brian and Jillian spend most of the novel trying to avoid their attraction...they even come up with a comprise "friends with partial benefits". This allows them to see each other naked as long as they don't touch. Obviously this will never work. And they decide not to pursue their relationship. As soon as Brian realizes that Natalie is not really the girl for him, he runs back to Miami to settle his unfinished business with Jillian.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 19, 2015
Well...that was different. Yet I just had to keep reading on.
Sometimes I wonder about myself lolllll.
Sometimes I wonder about myself lolllll.
August 9, 2016
Not my cup of tea
My distaste for this novel has nothing to do with the plot. If I wasn't ok with it, I'd never have picked this up. It's the execution and personal preferences that annoyed me about this.
There are mild spoilers here, so be warned.
From a personal preference standpoint (and should have nothing to do with anyone else's point of view on this) I need to be able to suspend belief and well, real life when I read romance novels. So, in the first five pages or so, I don't even want a mention of real life sexual issues. Not even for humour. It makes it really hard to get lost in the story if I'm thinking, "ew, see this is why fantasy is better than real life!" Also, the novel is heavy on tennis talk which at first had me jumping up and down. Except that I didn't agree with that POV on various opinions, not even a little bit, and so it left me rolling my eyes. Neither of these things matter so much for the story, but also made it hard for me to be objective. No matter how well written it was, I would have had a hard time enjoying it.
Now for the actual story... It's funny at points and the first two thirds is paced well enough and it's solidly written. I'll give it that. The rest? Bleh. The romance between Jillian and Brian was kind of cute and the best bit of the story (until the last third), but neither character worked for me. They were cliche and boring. They weren't full characters, but rather sort of stock characters who've dealt with stock problems. This is fine if you can make me care, but all I said was, so what? The pacing was weird. I was into the story for 2/3 of the way and then I skipped my way through the rest because it was boring and more suited for a five page epilogue. I didn't need it. And the reveal, which I won't give away, was stupid. It's not needed, it takes away from the story and made me once again, roll my eyes. I didn't buy Victoria character. Not so much in what she does, but that Jillian would just say the equivalent of, "aww shucks, that's just Victoria." No mother reacts that way when it can affect their children and/or her own love interest. And if she does, it only serves to make her pitiable, which kind of sucks in this kind of story. You want to cheer for Jillian, not find her weak. Overall, Victoria is supposed to be channeling her inner Sex and the City Samantha after a rough time in life, but she comes across as kind of low rent and gross. And a terrible friend. All of the supporting cast ticked me off. I didn't like any of them and they did nothing for the story besides manufacture needless conflict. The situation itself was conflict enough, no reason to add more.
This story just got under my skin. I thought this could be fun. A full novel and not a fantasy-fueler you usually get with a May-December romance story. Yay. Except I feel like I got doused with cold water. I couldn't get lost in the romance and while I liked the premise, I hated everything about the actual story.
It will probably work for a lot of people, so I don't not recommend it. It's written well enough, just not what does it for me.
My distaste for this novel has nothing to do with the plot. If I wasn't ok with it, I'd never have picked this up. It's the execution and personal preferences that annoyed me about this.
There are mild spoilers here, so be warned.
From a personal preference standpoint (and should have nothing to do with anyone else's point of view on this) I need to be able to suspend belief and well, real life when I read romance novels. So, in the first five pages or so, I don't even want a mention of real life sexual issues. Not even for humour. It makes it really hard to get lost in the story if I'm thinking, "ew, see this is why fantasy is better than real life!" Also, the novel is heavy on tennis talk which at first had me jumping up and down. Except that I didn't agree with that POV on various opinions, not even a little bit, and so it left me rolling my eyes. Neither of these things matter so much for the story, but also made it hard for me to be objective. No matter how well written it was, I would have had a hard time enjoying it.
Now for the actual story... It's funny at points and the first two thirds is paced well enough and it's solidly written. I'll give it that. The rest? Bleh. The romance between Jillian and Brian was kind of cute and the best bit of the story (until the last third), but neither character worked for me. They were cliche and boring. They weren't full characters, but rather sort of stock characters who've dealt with stock problems. This is fine if you can make me care, but all I said was, so what? The pacing was weird. I was into the story for 2/3 of the way and then I skipped my way through the rest because it was boring and more suited for a five page epilogue. I didn't need it. And the reveal, which I won't give away, was stupid. It's not needed, it takes away from the story and made me once again, roll my eyes. I didn't buy Victoria character. Not so much in what she does, but that Jillian would just say the equivalent of, "aww shucks, that's just Victoria." No mother reacts that way when it can affect their children and/or her own love interest. And if she does, it only serves to make her pitiable, which kind of sucks in this kind of story. You want to cheer for Jillian, not find her weak. Overall, Victoria is supposed to be channeling her inner Sex and the City Samantha after a rough time in life, but she comes across as kind of low rent and gross. And a terrible friend. All of the supporting cast ticked me off. I didn't like any of them and they did nothing for the story besides manufacture needless conflict. The situation itself was conflict enough, no reason to add more.
This story just got under my skin. I thought this could be fun. A full novel and not a fantasy-fueler you usually get with a May-December romance story. Yay. Except I feel like I got doused with cold water. I couldn't get lost in the romance and while I liked the premise, I hated everything about the actual story.
It will probably work for a lot of people, so I don't not recommend it. It's written well enough, just not what does it for me.
September 24, 2014
Thank the gods of the old and new that this book, was FREE! If I had paid a cent for this book, I would've been super pissed off and demanding a refund. This was by far one of the worst "romance" books I've ever read. And I am a voracious reader, so that's saying a lot. What should've come off as a fun, flighty, sexually charged book about middle-aged women falling for the taboo younger guy(s), this book read like a manual on how desperate divorcees become lecherous, immoral and irresponsible single women/parents. The author objectified the male characters and devalued the female characters. I was holding out for one at least one character to have some moral compass and not be reduced to being solely driven by their sexual body parts, but to no avail. Given Book 2 was also FREE, I chanced reading the first few chapters to see if the characters would develop more and/or if the storyline would offer more substance, but it got worse as a younger man/brother was pulled into the nonsense. I am a total advocate for the uninhibited, sexually liberated, independent and strong female protagonist who learns to rise from the ashes, turn lemons into kick ass lemonade, but there's a fine line with being liberated and flat out loose, the latter of which falls on these characters.
October 10, 2020
Jillian’s son brought a friend (Brian) home from college on break. Brian is lovesick and Jillian has writer’s block. They form a bond over tennis.
This was an odd story. It wasn't funny. It didn’t flow well. The events didn’t seem to fit. I didn’t like it.
At the end, the author included some information about the story which softened my heart, thus the three stars. It’s so much easier to rate lower, when you feel disconnected from the author, but that snippet from Luke Young has produced an additional star.
This was an odd story. It wasn't funny. It didn’t flow well. The events didn’t seem to fit. I didn’t like it.
At the end, the author included some information about the story which softened my heart, thus the three stars. It’s so much easier to rate lower, when you feel disconnected from the author, but that snippet from Luke Young has produced an additional star.
April 8, 2014
This was genuinely, laugh out loud funny.
A hot cougar has a secret affair with her son's best friend. Cougar woman is also a writer of erotic fiction so the affair provides plenty of inspiration.
The chemistry was great and the sex scenes were steamy, although I've read steamier.
This is a complete story but there are more in the series telling the stories of the other characters.
A funny, light read.
A hot cougar has a secret affair with her son's best friend. Cougar woman is also a writer of erotic fiction so the affair provides plenty of inspiration.
The chemistry was great and the sex scenes were steamy, although I've read steamier.
This is a complete story but there are more in the series telling the stories of the other characters.
A funny, light read.
December 11, 2013
This was a quick easy, sometime crude romance.
Written by a man that instantly intrigued me.
Hence why I picked it up.
It made me LOL at times.. supporting characters are great.
It was OK... it did make me want to read the rest of their story, so I continued on with the series
April 15, 2013
This book was a pleasant surprise from other books in this genre. It was sweet, as well as spicy, and so comical. I just loved it. The characters in this book took you for one wild ride. I don't think I will ever forget it.
This is mainly Jillian's story. She is a romance writer and recently divorced. She caught her husband cheating. Her experience with men since has been a bit of a disaster. Jillian's son Rob and his best friend Brian end up coming home from college on their spring break. Brian and Jillian end up spending some time together during that time. There is a mutual attraction, yet they don't want to act on it. They have so much in common and are a really great match. She is his best friends mother. He is her son's best friend. Not the ideal situation for a romance. Brian is hung up on Natalie someone he had started a relationship with at college. Getting to know Jillian has given him more of a perspective into what he really wants out of a relationship. You can say that Jillian has really introduced him to what could be. The funny thing is the age difference between them is the last thing they worry about. It's Rob Jillian's son, he is so clueless to what has transpired between them. Rob is too caught up in his relationship with his girlfriend Laura to notice.
Through the entire book I was so rooting for Brian and Jillian. They were so humorous whenever they were together. Everyone wants to be with someone that you can laugh and joke around with. This was what they were just themselves. So comfortable and carefree. I just adored them and just about everything in the book. It was so refreshing to read a book that was far from the angst ridden tear jerker books I have been reading as of late. This book will definitely lift you spirits. Really you will be laughing out loud to these characters antics. I look forward to reading more in this series. This book was so great. If you want a light, humorous, and don't forget a sweet and spicy read, well this is so what you want to read. So go for it. I did and am so glad I did.
This is mainly Jillian's story. She is a romance writer and recently divorced. She caught her husband cheating. Her experience with men since has been a bit of a disaster. Jillian's son Rob and his best friend Brian end up coming home from college on their spring break. Brian and Jillian end up spending some time together during that time. There is a mutual attraction, yet they don't want to act on it. They have so much in common and are a really great match. She is his best friends mother. He is her son's best friend. Not the ideal situation for a romance. Brian is hung up on Natalie someone he had started a relationship with at college. Getting to know Jillian has given him more of a perspective into what he really wants out of a relationship. You can say that Jillian has really introduced him to what could be. The funny thing is the age difference between them is the last thing they worry about. It's Rob Jillian's son, he is so clueless to what has transpired between them. Rob is too caught up in his relationship with his girlfriend Laura to notice.
Through the entire book I was so rooting for Brian and Jillian. They were so humorous whenever they were together. Everyone wants to be with someone that you can laugh and joke around with. This was what they were just themselves. So comfortable and carefree. I just adored them and just about everything in the book. It was so refreshing to read a book that was far from the angst ridden tear jerker books I have been reading as of late. This book will definitely lift you spirits. Really you will be laughing out loud to these characters antics. I look forward to reading more in this series. This book was so great. If you want a light, humorous, and don't forget a sweet and spicy read, well this is so what you want to read. So go for it. I did and am so glad I did.
October 22, 2016
I was delightful with this novel. I have to admit it wasn't much appeal to me the older woman – young man thing, but the author manage to put things through and I adore them. It seems Jillian and Brian were meant for each other. The plot leads you and you'll find yourself longing for their embrace. It has the right amount of foreplay and sex. Not less, not much. They both fought for their desires and the final was unbelievable. It was fun, overall, and sexy and lovable.
I'm not a saga person, although I'm going to look for the next adventure for sure.
I'm not a saga person, although I'm going to look for the next adventure for sure.
January 6, 2024
written by a man... that explains a lot
November 16, 2012
3.5 Stars
This was a fun, entertaining read that I enjoyed. I was sucked in immediately and unable to put it down, finishing it in one day (which is really hard for me to normally do). What interested me most about reading it was the fact that it's written by a man - and that always makes me curious. Luke Young can write romance well, I have to give him credit.
Rob and Brian are college roommates (seniors) and best friends. Rob's mom, Jillian is a smutty romance novelist and divorcee - but she's hot and young (she got pregnant with Rob in high school). Brian (who's an older student at the age of 26) is struggling in his relationship with his current girlfriend (if you can call her that) and needs a break from her. So he goes home with Rob on Spring Break.
Staying at Rob's house (while Rob is constantly out with his girlfriend, Laura) - Brian spends a lot of time with Jillian. Both huge fans of tennis (and Jillian having a spectacular tennis court) - they find themselves with a lot in common. They play tennis together and talk a lot and start a friendship - while there are other underlying feelings rising to the surface. There is an attraction that can't be denied. I thought that the age difference would bother me - but I ended up being okay with it. Their connection and attraction meant so much more than the fact they are 12 years apart in age. I loved these two together. The sexual tension between the two was palpable and had me holding my breath at times. And Brian - what a sweetie. He cooks, he's athletic, he's sweet. SWOON.
One of my favorite parts of the book...
He leaned in close to her and put his hand on her neck. A shiver went through her body as he whispered, "If I don't get inside you soon, I'm going to die."
Swoon, right?
I shall only mention one gripe.
Without giving much away - things go down with Rob, Laura, & Brian's girlfriend (Natalie) that make the story interesting. I really wanted to shake Brian and tell him to wake up at many points in the story. Things worked out how I hoped and Brian was just adorable.
This was a cute romance with some spice (not overly done) that I enjoyed and would recommend if you want a fun, quick read.
This was a fun, entertaining read that I enjoyed. I was sucked in immediately and unable to put it down, finishing it in one day (which is really hard for me to normally do). What interested me most about reading it was the fact that it's written by a man - and that always makes me curious. Luke Young can write romance well, I have to give him credit.
Rob and Brian are college roommates (seniors) and best friends. Rob's mom, Jillian is a smutty romance novelist and divorcee - but she's hot and young (she got pregnant with Rob in high school). Brian (who's an older student at the age of 26) is struggling in his relationship with his current girlfriend (if you can call her that) and needs a break from her. So he goes home with Rob on Spring Break.
Staying at Rob's house (while Rob is constantly out with his girlfriend, Laura) - Brian spends a lot of time with Jillian. Both huge fans of tennis (and Jillian having a spectacular tennis court) - they find themselves with a lot in common. They play tennis together and talk a lot and start a friendship - while there are other underlying feelings rising to the surface. There is an attraction that can't be denied. I thought that the age difference would bother me - but I ended up being okay with it. Their connection and attraction meant so much more than the fact they are 12 years apart in age. I loved these two together. The sexual tension between the two was palpable and had me holding my breath at times. And Brian - what a sweetie. He cooks, he's athletic, he's sweet. SWOON.
One of my favorite parts of the book...
He leaned in close to her and put his hand on her neck. A shiver went through her body as he whispered, "If I don't get inside you soon, I'm going to die."
Swoon, right?
I shall only mention one gripe.
Without giving much away - things go down with Rob, Laura, & Brian's girlfriend (Natalie) that make the story interesting. I really wanted to shake Brian and tell him to wake up at many points in the story. Things worked out how I hoped and Brian was just adorable.
This was a cute romance with some spice (not overly done) that I enjoyed and would recommend if you want a fun, quick read.
December 11, 2017
Sometimes, I wonder and ask my self, "Why I keep reading some books...." I will never learn my lesson...
March 10, 2015
Slick's review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
3.5 Stars
I’ll admit I picked up this free book because there was some buzz about it on social media and because of some of the one star reviews on Amazon and yes, I read those because sometimes they point me in the direction of good books. Here are a few examples taken from those reviews: “I do not like erotic books and this was one.”….ummm did you read the synopsis? “Too much sex no one has that much sex and talks about it.”….ummm no such thing as too much sex and if you aren’t talking about it what the hell is wrong with you and my favorite, “Raunchy at it’s best right here folks!!” I love raunchy, I love sexy, and I love sweet romance so the buzz, the one star reviews, and the fact that this book was written by a male author all had me intrigued and I’m really glad I took a chance on it. Friends With Partial Benefits was hilarious, sweet, crazy, raunchy, frustrating, and sure a little unbelievable and not without some problems but what it boils down to is that it was a fun story and I did enjoy reading it.
A young divorced romance writer finds herself attracted to the young man her son brings home from college for spring break. Is it a little taboo? Sure, but that’s kind of what makes this book fun. Jillian and Brian are attracted to each other and even though a few of their actions skirt the line, for the sake of her son and his best friend, Rob, they decide to not act on their attraction…well at least not completely…well at least not right away. The thing is I really enjoyed these two together despite the age difference which turns out not to be as big as they originally think; they had a lot in common, they enjoyed each other’s company outside of the bedroom, there was attraction between them from the start, and they had a mutual respect for one another. Without going into a lot of detail, the time they spend together during Spring Break makes both of them realize how good they could be together if they were to act on their feelings. That week offered up some wild and crazy times which had me laughing out loud frequently.
While Friends With Partial Benefits might not be for everyone, I found it to be an amusing and entertaining story that was kind of a train wreck but one you couldn’t help but watch. That’s not really a bad thing; it just means that it wasn’t perfect but there was enough there to make me keep reading, made me keep laughing, and yeah…there was a lot of sexy time which is never a bad thing. So if you don’t mind a crazy, off the wall mixed up plot filled with laughter, sex, and sometimes really inappropriate situations then this book is right up your alley…if that’s not your thing skip it, but I for one am glad I took a chance on it.
3.5 Stars
I’ll admit I picked up this free book because there was some buzz about it on social media and because of some of the one star reviews on Amazon and yes, I read those because sometimes they point me in the direction of good books. Here are a few examples taken from those reviews: “I do not like erotic books and this was one.”….ummm did you read the synopsis? “Too much sex no one has that much sex and talks about it.”….ummm no such thing as too much sex and if you aren’t talking about it what the hell is wrong with you and my favorite, “Raunchy at it’s best right here folks!!” I love raunchy, I love sexy, and I love sweet romance so the buzz, the one star reviews, and the fact that this book was written by a male author all had me intrigued and I’m really glad I took a chance on it. Friends With Partial Benefits was hilarious, sweet, crazy, raunchy, frustrating, and sure a little unbelievable and not without some problems but what it boils down to is that it was a fun story and I did enjoy reading it.
A young divorced romance writer finds herself attracted to the young man her son brings home from college for spring break. Is it a little taboo? Sure, but that’s kind of what makes this book fun. Jillian and Brian are attracted to each other and even though a few of their actions skirt the line, for the sake of her son and his best friend, Rob, they decide to not act on their attraction…well at least not completely…well at least not right away. The thing is I really enjoyed these two together despite the age difference which turns out not to be as big as they originally think; they had a lot in common, they enjoyed each other’s company outside of the bedroom, there was attraction between them from the start, and they had a mutual respect for one another. Without going into a lot of detail, the time they spend together during Spring Break makes both of them realize how good they could be together if they were to act on their feelings. That week offered up some wild and crazy times which had me laughing out loud frequently.
While Friends With Partial Benefits might not be for everyone, I found it to be an amusing and entertaining story that was kind of a train wreck but one you couldn’t help but watch. That’s not really a bad thing; it just means that it wasn’t perfect but there was enough there to make me keep reading, made me keep laughing, and yeah…there was a lot of sexy time which is never a bad thing. So if you don’t mind a crazy, off the wall mixed up plot filled with laughter, sex, and sometimes really inappropriate situations then this book is right up your alley…if that’s not your thing skip it, but I for one am glad I took a chance on it.
June 10, 2012
The blurb of the book as well as the cover caught my eye when I was checking out the free reads on Amazon. I am so glad I got this one because it was so fun and reminded me a few times of my own college experiences and that of those around me at the time.
The story has two settings between the university campus in Georgia where Brian, Rob and Natalie attend and the Miami home of Jillian.
Jillian is a famous romance writer who finds herself divorced from her husband of many years because she caught him cheating on her with a young thing in her own pool. She has made enough from her books that she can live in some luxury with good friends nearby. All is not golden for her in that she has lost her writing muse since the divorce and she's never had a meaningful relationship.
Brian, Jillian's son Rob's friend, is in his final year of university and he's not happy, but at least content to hope for something good to come along with a girl. Until he sees Natalie and her dexterous abilities to pose her body with one leg straight up and one straight down. He begins fantasizing the possibilities instantly and takes up his courage to get a relationship up with her. Nat sends him mixed signals and tears the guy inside out so that Rob must do a rescue vacay for Brian to get it together and get over Natalie.
Rob brings Brian home to Miami and his mother Jillian determined that Brian will have a great time with the girls on the beach in Florida while Rob gets in some time with his girlfriend. All does not go according to plan, but Rob's mission is successful in ways he did not imagine. Jillian and Brian hit it off instantly over a shared love of John McEnroe and tennis. The attraction is there, but both realize that there were some pretty huge barriers to exploring their desires- namely Rob.
The story has another main character in Jillian's friend, Victoria who is a shocking little piece who has decided to live life to the fullest and has a sex drive that will make everyone envious. Victoria's story weaves in and out of Jillian's but is also separate.
I enjoyed the story and found myself laughing over lots of the goings-on, wowing over some of the steam and sorry for how things happen at other times. I was so worried about who Brian would choose at one point and groaned because as the reader I saw where it was headed depending on choices made. There was a moment where I really wanted to bop Rob. He totally broke the unwritten code. I'll stay hush hush so I don't spoil it for others. As to pace, it moves along slowly, but surely without being boring. It ended abruptly just at an interesting moment so I am looking forward to book two.
Fun read for those who enjoy older woman/younger man steamy stories.
The story has two settings between the university campus in Georgia where Brian, Rob and Natalie attend and the Miami home of Jillian.
Jillian is a famous romance writer who finds herself divorced from her husband of many years because she caught him cheating on her with a young thing in her own pool. She has made enough from her books that she can live in some luxury with good friends nearby. All is not golden for her in that she has lost her writing muse since the divorce and she's never had a meaningful relationship.
Brian, Jillian's son Rob's friend, is in his final year of university and he's not happy, but at least content to hope for something good to come along with a girl. Until he sees Natalie and her dexterous abilities to pose her body with one leg straight up and one straight down. He begins fantasizing the possibilities instantly and takes up his courage to get a relationship up with her. Nat sends him mixed signals and tears the guy inside out so that Rob must do a rescue vacay for Brian to get it together and get over Natalie.
Rob brings Brian home to Miami and his mother Jillian determined that Brian will have a great time with the girls on the beach in Florida while Rob gets in some time with his girlfriend. All does not go according to plan, but Rob's mission is successful in ways he did not imagine. Jillian and Brian hit it off instantly over a shared love of John McEnroe and tennis. The attraction is there, but both realize that there were some pretty huge barriers to exploring their desires- namely Rob.
The story has another main character in Jillian's friend, Victoria who is a shocking little piece who has decided to live life to the fullest and has a sex drive that will make everyone envious. Victoria's story weaves in and out of Jillian's but is also separate.
I enjoyed the story and found myself laughing over lots of the goings-on, wowing over some of the steam and sorry for how things happen at other times. I was so worried about who Brian would choose at one point and groaned because as the reader I saw where it was headed depending on choices made. There was a moment where I really wanted to bop Rob. He totally broke the unwritten code. I'll stay hush hush so I don't spoil it for others. As to pace, it moves along slowly, but surely without being boring. It ended abruptly just at an interesting moment so I am looking forward to book two.
Fun read for those who enjoy older woman/younger man steamy stories.
October 3, 2012
Frustrated by writers block, romance novelist Jillian Grayson was looking forward to spending some much needed down time with her son Rob while he is home on spring break from college. Rob thought it would be a good idea to bring his best friend, Brian Nash, who is in desperate need of some space of his own from his baggage ridden girlfriend Natalie. Jillian and Brian share a love of tennis and soon learn they are also well matched competitors on the court as well. As they get to know each other better, an attraction develops between them that neither one could have ever imagined. Acknowledging that acting on their desire is going to complicate their lives even more, they put together guidelines that would keep them tied to specific sexual boundaries. As things heat up, it's going to take more than a few rules to make them stay in their separate rooms and keep their hands off of each other's bodies. Author Luke Young has written a story that focuses on common interests and chemistry more than an age difference and shreds the theory that every woman over thirty is a cougar and every college guy is only out for one thing. The story is laugh out loud funny with characters like Jillian's best friend, sex obsessed Victoria and hopeless blind dates that are worthy of immediate abandonment. The sex is hot,intense and well written. This is the first book in the series and I recommend this highly and will be looking for more from this author.
February 25, 2014
Jillian is an author of sexy books. She caught her husband in the pool with another woman. She kicked them both out. She is lonely. It's been awhile since the divorce. Her best friend Victoria keeps telling her to date. Jillian dates a few but they are duds. Her writing is starting suffer. She needs something in her life.
Her son Rob is coming home for spring break. His roommate Brian is coming along. Brian is stunned when he sees Jillian for the first time. Then he learns that they have a love for tennis in common. Jillian and Brian start to have the hots for each other. Being Rob's mother and friend keeps them apart - but for how long?
Her son Rob is coming home for spring break. His roommate Brian is coming along. Brian is stunned when he sees Jillian for the first time. Then he learns that they have a love for tennis in common. Jillian and Brian start to have the hots for each other. Being Rob's mother and friend keeps them apart - but for how long?
July 8, 2014
I LOVED THIS BOOK! It was so good and pretty comical. I am so glad I took a chance on it. I am looking forward to other works by Luke Young...especially in this series.
July 3, 2016
Awesome book..I loved everything about this book! Great writing, It's been awhile since I've laughed so much reading a book. I loved all of the characters in the story. A must read book!!
November 1, 2012
To be honest, the main reason I wanted to read this romance was because it was written by a male. The first 2 dates Jillian has while getting back into the dating world have got to be 2 of the funniest scenes I have read. I had to put my Kindle down during both scenes to wipe the tears away because I was laughing so hard. I really enjoyed the relationship between Jillian & Brian. I thought is was sweet, sexy & fun. The other characters for me were ok. They weren't in the story a lot so that may have been why except for Victoria, Jillian's best friend. At first I thought she was funny but as the story went along I got very tired of her. Her sexual talk was funny at first but that's all she ever talked about in graphic detail. She got to be a one note character for me & almost cartoonish with how over done her sex addiction was. It's obvious the author is a tennis player due to the detail description of the matches in the book. What I thought was odd was putting down & using actual famous pro tennis players & going into great detail explaining about an extremely long pro tennis match that took place a few years ago. Also not needed & in my opinion out of place was the scene at Victoria's with the 2 young men. It had nothing to do with the progression of the story. The only other disappointment for me was Jillian & Brian's first kiss. I wish it had been more of a slow build up right before. I would have given the book 3 stars. The 4th star is for the 2 dating scenes mentioned above that were awesome. I do feel this book is worth your time to read. I'm currently reading the 2nd book in the series because of how much I like Jillian & Brian. It's a quick fun read.
August 2, 2014
You I'm always looking for something to read. This book came up in one of my searches on iBooks the small blurb sounded interesting, and it was free, so it wouldn't cost me anything if I didn't enjoy it. What was the worse that could happen, right? I downloaded the book and I have to admit at first I was not all into it I was going to delete it, but then something happened and I just could not put the book down. This book was a really fun read. I found myself laughing out loud at different parts of the book. I'm on iBooks now trying to download the rest of the series. I'd recommend this too anyone and everyone. This book is truly a good summer read. And I want to go on record as saying that Victoria was/is my favorite character in the book. Don't take this the wrong way, but she is like the Karen of the book (Karen from Will & Grace always stoked the scene) Victoria was the same. I found myself wanting to know where she was and what she was doing at times. Sometimes I'd read a scene and wonder what would Victoria think of the situation. I'm definitely going to get the rest of the series. I want to know 1. How will people react to Jillian and Brian's relationship? 2. Will Victoria and her neighbor really make it as a couple or was it a one night stand? And 3. Because I really liked this story and the freshness of the book , and it's characters. I give this book FIVE stars.
September 30, 2015
um, yeah I'm glad this book was free, had I paid for it, I would have been pissed.
Rob is coming home, so he drags insecure Brian with him. Brian, who's been falling over a girl who can lift her leg in the air and hold it for hours. Yeah, let's base a relationship on that. She doesn't want sex with him, but everyone else will do? That's not even the worse. Brian meets Jillian, Rob's mom and her best friend Victoria, she's a train wreck on her own. Things get hot and steamy between Brian and Jillian, but even 75% done with the book, no one is doing it! NO ONE! Oh wait, I take that back . I made it 77%, did they eventually have sex? No idea. I was too tired of the drama.
To be fair, the idea of the book sounded good. But if you've gone to college you know 90% of the guys there are cocky, arrogant and don't care. They will bag and tag without a care. She's Rob's mom? Yeah, no biggie. And maybe Brian had respect for Brian, good for you. But I think deep down, Brian is insecure and childish. Jillian didn't need another kid to raise, she needed a man. Course he would be a good diversion until something better came along.
Rob is coming home, so he drags insecure Brian with him. Brian, who's been falling over a girl who can lift her leg in the air and hold it for hours. Yeah, let's base a relationship on that. She doesn't want sex with him, but everyone else will do? That's not even the worse. Brian meets Jillian, Rob's mom and her best friend Victoria, she's a train wreck on her own. Things get hot and steamy between Brian and Jillian, but even 75% done with the book, no one is doing it! NO ONE! Oh wait, I take that back . I made it 77%, did they eventually have sex? No idea. I was too tired of the drama.
To be fair, the idea of the book sounded good. But if you've gone to college you know 90% of the guys there are cocky, arrogant and don't care. They will bag and tag without a care. She's Rob's mom? Yeah, no biggie. And maybe Brian had respect for Brian, good for you. But I think deep down, Brian is insecure and childish. Jillian didn't need another kid to raise, she needed a man. Course he would be a good diversion until something better came along.
April 17, 2013
This book was part of a blog tour I received a copy for my honest review
Jillian is a recent divorcee, she caught her husband cheating and has been having bad experiences with men ever since. Her son Rob comes home for spring break with his best friend Brian, Brian and Jillian are attracted to each other but don't want to act on it because of Rob. I honestly can't tell if I loved this book or hated it, I gave it three stars because I am still undecided. The book was full of humor, I liked the interactions between Brian and Jillian. However, the sex scenes were bad, like really bad. They were somewhat crude and I found myself zoning out while reading them. The character Victoria was more of a distraction, I don't feel like she added anything to this particular story but rather the author was setting it up for her to have her own book. Parts of this book were really good and that's what kept me reading.
Jillian is a recent divorcee, she caught her husband cheating and has been having bad experiences with men ever since. Her son Rob comes home for spring break with his best friend Brian, Brian and Jillian are attracted to each other but don't want to act on it because of Rob. I honestly can't tell if I loved this book or hated it, I gave it three stars because I am still undecided. The book was full of humor, I liked the interactions between Brian and Jillian. However, the sex scenes were bad, like really bad. They were somewhat crude and I found myself zoning out while reading them. The character Victoria was more of a distraction, I don't feel like she added anything to this particular story but rather the author was setting it up for her to have her own book. Parts of this book were really good and that's what kept me reading.
August 6, 2016
I distinctly remember two lines that bothered me. Firstly, "Cake from scratch tastes like crap." made me want to check whether the author really is sane as I do not think it is possible for cake you've made from scratch to taste anything but delicious.
Secondly, Brian and Jillian had finally reached the part where they're having fun between the sheets and the thing they say to each other? "You feel so cute." CUTE?! How on earth can you think that a man between your legs or a woman around your mini-me is cute at that moment? I simply do not get it.
If interested, you can find the rest of my thoughts on my book blog HERE.
Secondly, Brian and Jillian had finally reached the part where they're having fun between the sheets and the thing they say to each other? "You feel so cute." CUTE?! How on earth can you think that a man between your legs or a woman around your mini-me is cute at that moment? I simply do not get it.
If interested, you can find the rest of my thoughts on my book blog HERE.
January 6, 2014
Surprisingly this book was really good I couldn't put it down I finished it in 2 days. I really enjoyed how the author wrote a book in a book by making the main character a author who uses her experiences in her romantic novel. This book was a real hang off your seat grab on to your chair handles for me. I also enjoyed how the author use a lot of details in certain areas to express the character passion towards the subject. Overall this book isn't a book a college professor would recommend but its a funny and just plain fun book I enjoyed it.
September 7, 2017
I should probably stop reading Kindle freebies, but I can't seem to resist and the 'One-click' buy option is just too easy.
The writing isn't really my style. for awhile it seemed as if nothing was connected, but it did come together. The story is cute in a "cougar-meets-younger-guy" kind of way. The sex scenes are somewhat tasteful--no explicit descriptions or overuse of language. The story seems to focus more on the chemistry between the characters versus the sex that they could or should be having.
This can be read as a stand alone, but is part of a six book series.
The writing isn't really my style. for awhile it seemed as if nothing was connected, but it did come together. The story is cute in a "cougar-meets-younger-guy" kind of way. The sex scenes are somewhat tasteful--no explicit descriptions or overuse of language. The story seems to focus more on the chemistry between the characters versus the sex that they could or should be having.
This can be read as a stand alone, but is part of a six book series.
Read
October 26, 2014
DNF @ 15%
I attempted to give this series another try but this writing style is just not my cup of tea. When I realize where this book was heading I just couldn't go on. I had to DNF this book at 15%. Since I didn't like the pre-quel I knew at 15% into this one that I was going down the same path. Bummer!!!!!
June 19, 2015
Woww what a book. This book was funny abd I was hooked. The characters were just funny as hell. I could not stop laughing. The circumstances snd scenarios were just weird and i totally got the book. I would have liked more heat but the book just delivered on keeping me engaged. Would have liked more sex scenes LoL. Brian is a hottoe so the steamy scenes would have worked.
I recommend this book if you need a book to just laugh and feel good.
I recommend this book if you need a book to just laugh and feel good.
September 12, 2016
I loved this book! I loved that the main character was a women in control of her life. Not only is she in control but is an accomplished writer of wicked sexy erotic books! Talk about a dream job not to mention the sexy hot boy toys that are sprinkled thought the book. I really didn't put the book down once I started reading it. I can't wait to read the next book.
May 25, 2017
1st book I have read by Luke Young, loved the cover that is totally what pulled me in right off, at times this book is so hilarious!! loved it!! Couldn't put it down had to know the ending, such a great read. I love the friction (or banter if you will) between the 2 main character. Must read. Check it out!! Can't wait to see what else Luke will read very very soon, I hope? ( ;
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