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With Benefits
Is sleeping with your best friend having the best of both worlds, or is it a disaster waiting to happen?
Kyle and Britt are best friends. They have a lot in common. They have professional careers. They like watching classic black and white TV shows and movies, listening to music from back in the day, and eating submarine sandwiches on the sofa. And when they’re not seeing other people, they like sleeping with each other.
But there’s a danger in being friends with benefits: Somebody usually catches feelings. Then the problem becomes whether to keep your feelings to yourself and suffer silent longing, or to express your emotions and risk losing what you have.
Something has got to give.
Inspired by true events, WITH BENEFITS is the story of two people who discover that just being close might not be close enough.
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EXCERPT:
Matt’s news about Allison coming was a shot of high-octane caffeine to Britt’s system, and after their call she knew that there was no point in trying to get back to sleep. She slid out of bed and paced her bedroom and tried to organize her thoughts and feelings.
She trusted Matt. Everything she’d learned about him over the past six months told her that he was a good guy. And the one thing that made her believe that he had no intentions toward his ex was that he hadn’t had to tell her that Allison was coming today. But he had.
Still, a little part of her felt at a disadvantage, and felt jealous. She was supposed to be in a relationship with Matt, and yet here she was about to spend Saturday alone with nothing planned to do while he was hanging out with his ex-wife.
After talking to Cheryl last night she’d decided that she wasn’t going to call that guy Kyle. Because she was attracted to him she’d decided that even a phone call would be a betrayal of her relationship with Matt. It would be one thing if she didn’t want to talk to him and just wanted him out of her hair, but that wasn’t the case. She was interested…curious. Anyway, like Cheryl said, if Kyle wanted to track her down he could. So she’d decided that she wasn’t going to call him and that if he did find her number and call her, then she’d tell him in a nice way that she was in a relationship.
But that was last night. This morning things were different. This morning her relationship with Matt didn’t feel balanced. His ex-wife was coming to visit him and spend the day in his house, so why should she feel guilty about talking to a nice guy that she’d met professionally on the phone? Why should she feel bad about a simple phone call when Matt would be face-to-face and alone with his ex? Nope, that wasn’t balanced at all.
And anyway, what if Matt telling her that he was sick was a ruse? What if he’d known before today that Allison was in DC, and they’d planned for her to visit? What if they’d been in contact all along and Matt knew she was coming, and his claiming that he and Davy were ill was just a cover story?
(Stop it! You’re over thinking things.)
She thought about calling Cheryl again to get her take on the new circumstances. But she knew Cheryl, and already knew what she would say. Cheryl would tell her that she was stupid for believing Matt’s story. She’d say that she was being played.
Last night Cheryl told her to call Kyle Michaels, the fine IT brother with the panty-melting voice. Well, maybe she would. She’d make some coffee, have a little breakfast and think about it. And then, maybe she would.
Kyle and Britt are best friends. They have a lot in common. They have professional careers. They like watching classic black and white TV shows and movies, listening to music from back in the day, and eating submarine sandwiches on the sofa. And when they’re not seeing other people, they like sleeping with each other.
But there’s a danger in being friends with benefits: Somebody usually catches feelings. Then the problem becomes whether to keep your feelings to yourself and suffer silent longing, or to express your emotions and risk losing what you have.
Something has got to give.
Inspired by true events, WITH BENEFITS is the story of two people who discover that just being close might not be close enough.
----------
EXCERPT:
Matt’s news about Allison coming was a shot of high-octane caffeine to Britt’s system, and after their call she knew that there was no point in trying to get back to sleep. She slid out of bed and paced her bedroom and tried to organize her thoughts and feelings.
She trusted Matt. Everything she’d learned about him over the past six months told her that he was a good guy. And the one thing that made her believe that he had no intentions toward his ex was that he hadn’t had to tell her that Allison was coming today. But he had.
Still, a little part of her felt at a disadvantage, and felt jealous. She was supposed to be in a relationship with Matt, and yet here she was about to spend Saturday alone with nothing planned to do while he was hanging out with his ex-wife.
After talking to Cheryl last night she’d decided that she wasn’t going to call that guy Kyle. Because she was attracted to him she’d decided that even a phone call would be a betrayal of her relationship with Matt. It would be one thing if she didn’t want to talk to him and just wanted him out of her hair, but that wasn’t the case. She was interested…curious. Anyway, like Cheryl said, if Kyle wanted to track her down he could. So she’d decided that she wasn’t going to call him and that if he did find her number and call her, then she’d tell him in a nice way that she was in a relationship.
But that was last night. This morning things were different. This morning her relationship with Matt didn’t feel balanced. His ex-wife was coming to visit him and spend the day in his house, so why should she feel guilty about talking to a nice guy that she’d met professionally on the phone? Why should she feel bad about a simple phone call when Matt would be face-to-face and alone with his ex? Nope, that wasn’t balanced at all.
And anyway, what if Matt telling her that he was sick was a ruse? What if he’d known before today that Allison was in DC, and they’d planned for her to visit? What if they’d been in contact all along and Matt knew she was coming, and his claiming that he and Davy were ill was just a cover story?
(Stop it! You’re over thinking things.)
She thought about calling Cheryl again to get her take on the new circumstances. But she knew Cheryl, and already knew what she would say. Cheryl would tell her that she was stupid for believing Matt’s story. She’d say that she was being played.
Last night Cheryl told her to call Kyle Michaels, the fine IT brother with the panty-melting voice. Well, maybe she would. She’d make some coffee, have a little breakfast and think about it. And then, maybe she would.
- GenresRomance
405 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 25, 2013
2 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 29, 2013
I'm a big fan of Christopher Bynum/The Black's writing, so I had great expectations for this book. I'm happy to say I was not disappointed. I love reading romance and erotica from the male perspective. I consider it a treat to get inside a man's head because most of us women know it's next to impossible to get our men to divulge what they're truly thinking.
I've had a busy week, so I've lost much sleep reading late night because I simply could not step away from this story. The "friends with benefits" story has been told many times but this was told from a different perspective that I found very refreshing.
Britt and Kyle both remind me of people I know. They were THAT real and I truly enjoyed them. At times, Britt seemed a little annoying but in the end, I realized I had actually been cheering for her. Kyle is just right; not the overly rich, emotionally detached, indescribably gorgeous Adonis type that you find in most romance novels. He's a handsome, well built, caring and sensitive semi-nerd who has trust issues (for good reason).
The supporting characters did exactly what they needed to; they showed up and gave great scene when necessary, and they didn't take over the story. On a side note, I would love to see Mike reappear at some point. The conversation between him and Kyle about women being crazy was hilarious and sadly made way too much sense.
I will truly miss these characters and look forward to seeing them again because I'm sure we will.
I've had a busy week, so I've lost much sleep reading late night because I simply could not step away from this story. The "friends with benefits" story has been told many times but this was told from a different perspective that I found very refreshing.
Britt and Kyle both remind me of people I know. They were THAT real and I truly enjoyed them. At times, Britt seemed a little annoying but in the end, I realized I had actually been cheering for her. Kyle is just right; not the overly rich, emotionally detached, indescribably gorgeous Adonis type that you find in most romance novels. He's a handsome, well built, caring and sensitive semi-nerd who has trust issues (for good reason).
The supporting characters did exactly what they needed to; they showed up and gave great scene when necessary, and they didn't take over the story. On a side note, I would love to see Mike reappear at some point. The conversation between him and Kyle about women being crazy was hilarious and sadly made way too much sense.
I will truly miss these characters and look forward to seeing them again because I'm sure we will.
June 27, 2013
My kind of romance, especially since it's based on real life events.
August 31, 2020
Overall the story was good. There were parts that dragged on to me and could have been cut out during editing. I would read another book by this author.
July 10, 2013
Britt Chandler a doctoral scientist and Kyle Michaels an IT Director meet when they are both in what soon become unsatisfying relationships. They have an immediate chemistry which they don’t act upon, because they are good people who try to do right by their significant others even though the sentiments are not exactly reciprocated to them. As they get to know one another, they find they have quite a bit in common, even though both are gun-shy from a series of failed dating attempts. They strike up a friendship and it thrives because they were both smart kids, and downright nerdy, yet sexy adults who like a lot of the same television shows, music, and movies. Not to mention they have this incendiary chemistry which they tamp down for the sake of preserving that friendship.
Over time and the demise of the relationships they were in when they first met, they lament their inability to perfect the art of dating in the twenty first century. Against the backdrop of hurricane Irene, their relationship takes an intimate turn, which they each had been secretly hoping for unbeknownst to the other.
After an idyllic few days of having their fill of each other, Britt’s ex finally mans-up and calls her out of the blue to discuss his hasty departure from her life to return to his ex. This conversation and a recent hook-up with a guy her best friend Cheryl introduces her to, reminds Britt that she’s made some poor decisions regarding men of late. Because she doesn’t want to make the same mistake with Kyle, she bolts, and they make the mutual decision to be friends who have sex when they’re unattached, because clearly the situations they were in before went sour when expectations weren’t lived up to.
I love how Bynum wrote these characters. They were not predictable, clichéd or over-blown. They were a man and woman deeply scarred by love--first by their parents, and then by partners who didn’t have their best interests at heart. Jaded by relationships having not been what they expected, they decide to be friends with benefits either until something better came along, or this arrangement blew up in their faces, whichever came first.
I challenge you to go on this adventure with Britt and Kyle. You will be surprised the plot doesn’t take the predictable path you think. You will be turned on by their hot sexcapades. And wowed, and thoroughly satisfied by the unexpected turn of events.
I have to admit that this was one of my most highly anticipated books of 2013, and after purchasing it on the day it debuted and devouring it between furious writing of my own sophomore effort, I was not disappointed.
Over time and the demise of the relationships they were in when they first met, they lament their inability to perfect the art of dating in the twenty first century. Against the backdrop of hurricane Irene, their relationship takes an intimate turn, which they each had been secretly hoping for unbeknownst to the other.
After an idyllic few days of having their fill of each other, Britt’s ex finally mans-up and calls her out of the blue to discuss his hasty departure from her life to return to his ex. This conversation and a recent hook-up with a guy her best friend Cheryl introduces her to, reminds Britt that she’s made some poor decisions regarding men of late. Because she doesn’t want to make the same mistake with Kyle, she bolts, and they make the mutual decision to be friends who have sex when they’re unattached, because clearly the situations they were in before went sour when expectations weren’t lived up to.
I love how Bynum wrote these characters. They were not predictable, clichéd or over-blown. They were a man and woman deeply scarred by love--first by their parents, and then by partners who didn’t have their best interests at heart. Jaded by relationships having not been what they expected, they decide to be friends with benefits either until something better came along, or this arrangement blew up in their faces, whichever came first.
I challenge you to go on this adventure with Britt and Kyle. You will be surprised the plot doesn’t take the predictable path you think. You will be turned on by their hot sexcapades. And wowed, and thoroughly satisfied by the unexpected turn of events.
I have to admit that this was one of my most highly anticipated books of 2013, and after purchasing it on the day it debuted and devouring it between furious writing of my own sophomore effort, I was not disappointed.
July 2, 2013
Kyle and Britt are not the typical “friends who fall in love story” that so many authors write about, it’s deeper than that. I like the way Christopher Bynum sets the scenes in this book, he makes you see everything from how a room is furnished, to how the characters are feeling and why. I normally read romance fiction written by women and even if they are writing about a man I always feel like it is from a female point of view, this male point view is interesting and good to read. This friend with benefits concept was a clever scenario, because when a woman gives her body a part of her soul goes with it, in this story we learn that men can have the same emotional response with the right person. This is a very passionate story, the heat between Kyle and Britt is in the burning hot range. One of things I appreciate the most is that their sex and lovemaking makes sense, they are not filler because the author couldn’t think of how to write a full story. I was introduced to two characters Kyle and Britt they each had a story both separate and together, when I finished this book I understood why they fell in love but I also understood why they chose each other.
September 5, 2013
First of all, I'm glad I've still got a job, because I spent much of yesterday reading this book like that's I was being paid to do. I just couldn't stop reading it! I loved Britt and Kyle and the way their story played out. They made a great couple, and with both of them being so smart, it's amazing it took them so long to figure it out. I liked that the story was told from both of their perspectives, so we could see what each one was thinking.
My only complaint is that they we didn't see what lead to their hiatus. One chapter ended with them acting out a fantasy (and enjoying it!), and the very next chapter opened Britt was wanting to kill the chick Kyle was dating. I was confused! It would have been nice to know how/why they decided to start seeing other people.
Whether he's writing as The Black or Christopher Bynum, this man is a great storyteller. His style is so unique; unlike anyone else I've read. Can't wait to see what's next!
p.s. Am I the only one wondering if Glenda slipped them some Passion's Nectar? Once they got started, they couldn't keep their hands off each other! I wasn't mad at them, though...
My only complaint is that they we didn't see what lead to their hiatus. One chapter ended with them acting out a fantasy (and enjoying it!), and the very next chapter opened Britt was wanting to kill the chick Kyle was dating. I was confused! It would have been nice to know how/why they decided to start seeing other people.
Whether he's writing as The Black or Christopher Bynum, this man is a great storyteller. His style is so unique; unlike anyone else I've read. Can't wait to see what's next!
p.s. Am I the only one wondering if Glenda slipped them some Passion's Nectar? Once they got started, they couldn't keep their hands off each other! I wasn't mad at them, though...
July 16, 2013
Dude take a bow. Take a bow, take a bow. This is one of the books on my 10 tens best books read this year. I loved the slow walk into their friendship and then the cross over into their romantic relationship. This book at times is so subtle that I was at one point unknowingly holding my breath. I loved the supporting cast of characters and the dynamics they brought to the book. Most of all I loved her relationship with her BFF. The conversations that they had were so real, so hilarious and so transparent. I loved this story.
Ok so on to the review. Britt and Kyle met when he came to work on her computer at her company. Sparks did manage to fly, but it was later before someone struck the match and lit the flame. They had a serious flame, but of course there was some insanity thrown in to dampen the flow of the fire. So can friends just be friends with benefits.... you'll have to read it to find out. I recommend that you one click this book today!!!
Ok so on to the review. Britt and Kyle met when he came to work on her computer at her company. Sparks did manage to fly, but it was later before someone struck the match and lit the flame. They had a serious flame, but of course there was some insanity thrown in to dampen the flow of the fire. So can friends just be friends with benefits.... you'll have to read it to find out. I recommend that you one click this book today!!!
September 30, 2013
I am officially a fan of this author. I bought this for my Kindle app on an impulse and I was definitely not disappointed. From the beginning, I loved how it read and the flow of it; I love the characters and how they developed and grew and how the storyline played out. Towards the end I had a little trepidation because I thought there was going to be some kind of drama-seeking money wrench tossed in, but thankfully I was relieved. I was glued to my phone until the end. I absolutely loved it and now wish I could meet my own Kyle.
I did wonder what happened to Cheryl towards the latter part of the book...I would have loved to have seen her reaction to all the developments (I'm trying not to give anything away).
Now I need to head to Amazon to see what my next book from Mr. Bynum/The Black is going to be, 'cause I'm definitely getting some more.
I did wonder what happened to Cheryl towards the latter part of the book...I would have loved to have seen her reaction to all the developments (I'm trying not to give anything away).
Now I need to head to Amazon to see what my next book from Mr. Bynum/The Black is going to be, 'cause I'm definitely getting some more.
February 19, 2014
The withdrawal period you go through after finishing a good read... Ummmm…yeah.
I can’t say enough how much I enjoyed this journey. It’s contemporary romance with everyday people. I unabashedly developed a crush on Kyle, the hero, soon into the read. I have a thing for smart, “nice guys” with glasses (so many insiders here). Britt, the heroine, was nicely developed, too. She was flawed, but strong in her own rite.
Although “With Benefits” was penned by Christopher, I got a taste of The Black in this book, setting the stage for what’s to be expected in “his” novels that I plan to venture to next!
“With Benefits” has length, depth, drama (opening), witty comebacks, awesome humor, and a sense of familiarity. I couldn’t put this one down! It troubles me that good books like this aren't widely known.
Love salutes Christopher Bynum! Can’t wait to experience more of his writing!
I can’t say enough how much I enjoyed this journey. It’s contemporary romance with everyday people. I unabashedly developed a crush on Kyle, the hero, soon into the read. I have a thing for smart, “nice guys” with glasses (so many insiders here). Britt, the heroine, was nicely developed, too. She was flawed, but strong in her own rite.
Although “With Benefits” was penned by Christopher, I got a taste of The Black in this book, setting the stage for what’s to be expected in “his” novels that I plan to venture to next!
“With Benefits” has length, depth, drama (opening), witty comebacks, awesome humor, and a sense of familiarity. I couldn’t put this one down! It troubles me that good books like this aren't widely known.
Love salutes Christopher Bynum! Can’t wait to experience more of his writing!
December 9, 2013
It took me a while to read this book, because the Author's writing style is a little different and more detailed than I usually like. For me it was a slow start, however it came highly recommended from people whose opinion I respect. I'm glad I stuck with it, even though I was frustrated a few times.
It's a good story of true best friends enjoying benefits, but were slow to recognize they were really more. I loved how steady Kyle and Britt were, how much they respected each in their own way and the maturity with which they handled their relationship. This truly was a good book and I applaud the effort the Author took to ensure the editing was correct. Yep I'll be reading more of his books. I'll just have to remember to be patient with his style.
It's a good story of true best friends enjoying benefits, but were slow to recognize they were really more. I loved how steady Kyle and Britt were, how much they respected each in their own way and the maturity with which they handled their relationship. This truly was a good book and I applaud the effort the Author took to ensure the editing was correct. Yep I'll be reading more of his books. I'll just have to remember to be patient with his style.
May 20, 2017
Wow! I love this author. Christopher Bynum/The Black never disappoints. I laughed and cried (at the end) reading this story. I fell in love with Kyle right from the beginning. I have a thing for "nice" guys (could never get into thugs for some reason). I loved Britt's character as well. Both Kyle and Britt had some negative impressions surrounding committed relationships. And to be honest I don't know how they made it so long without saying the "L" word. No matter. In the end, they got it right. I love how the author always manages to connect his characters. It was refreshing to get a glimpse of Lucas (what a man, what a man, what a mighty fine man) and Olivia again. Awesome read!
July 29, 2013
Absolutely loved this book. Well written characters, great dialogue, terrific story development. I am looking forward to other books like this from Mr. Bynum. I've read his books written under his pen name The Black, but this was a whole other level of great.
April 17, 2014
This was a great read. Can friends become "friends with benefits" while still maintaining the friendship? Grab your copy of this book and find out. You will not be disappointed.
August 31, 2014
What a great read
as always you take the reader on a great ride. loved the story and that they realized before it was too late that they were meant to be.
as always you take the reader on a great ride. loved the story and that they realized before it was too late that they were meant to be.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews