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Bookish With Benefits
His muse is missing. His manuscript is a mess. And his only hope? The woman who doesn’t believe in happily-ever-afters.
Lara Yates fixes love stories for a living, but she stopped believing in them a long time ago. As a sharp-tongued editor, she knows romance follows a formula, and real life rarely delivers the perfect ending.
Bestselling author Rory Keane, on the other hand, has built his career on happily-ever-afters—until he hits a creative wall. With a deadline looming and his book falling apart, he needs help, and Lara is the only one who can whip his manuscript (and him) into shape.
Their deal? She keeps him on track. He makes sure she has a little fun. No emotions, no complications, just late-night brainstorming sessions and strictly professional tension. But as the lines between fiction and reality blur, Lara and Rory are forced to ask is this just another story… or the start of something real?
This is a low-spice/closed door romance.
Lara Yates fixes love stories for a living, but she stopped believing in them a long time ago. As a sharp-tongued editor, she knows romance follows a formula, and real life rarely delivers the perfect ending.
Bestselling author Rory Keane, on the other hand, has built his career on happily-ever-afters—until he hits a creative wall. With a deadline looming and his book falling apart, he needs help, and Lara is the only one who can whip his manuscript (and him) into shape.
Their deal? She keeps him on track. He makes sure she has a little fun. No emotions, no complications, just late-night brainstorming sessions and strictly professional tension. But as the lines between fiction and reality blur, Lara and Rory are forced to ask is this just another story… or the start of something real?
This is a low-spice/closed door romance.
330 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2023
32 people are currently reading
209 people want to read
About the author
Alia Smith
7 books16 followersAlia Smith writes heart-warming romantic comedies filled with wit, charm, and just the right amount of chaos. When she's not crafting love stories, she can usually be found curled up with a book, getting emotionally invested in reality TV, or attempting to keep Galaxy—her cat and chief muse—from sitting on her keyboard. She lives in a cosy Oxfordshire home, where she firmly believes that every great romance starts with a good cup of tea.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 171 reviews
May 1, 2025
UPDATE: NOW AVAILABLE AND ON KU
✨️ ARC REVIEW ✨️
Bookish With Benefits By Alia Smith
Publication date: May 1st 2025
If you love books with bookish plots then this is a MUST READ! I cannot put into words how much I enjoyed this🥹 I literally lived every emotion under the sun with this read, the banter was bantering 🤣 the chemistry was just🔥 - I have never rooted for a book couple the way I did with this one 🥲❤️🩹 honestly this is one of my favourite romance books I've read this year
Plot Summary
Lara, an editor who doesn't believe in "happy ever afters and Rory, a best selling author (charmer) who doesn't know what real love feels like end up working together on a manuscript for his next book .. Oh and a no strings attached agreement comes along with helping Rory stay on track with the deadline ..
What to expect / Tropes
▪︎ Forced proximity
▪︎ Banter
▪︎ Friends with benefits
▪︎ Opposites attract
▪︎ Slow burn romance
▪︎ Author and editor duo
▪︎ Workplace romance
▪︎ Angst / tension
▪︎ Late night work sessions
▪︎ Grumpy x sunshine
▪︎ Secret revealed
Thanks to the author for the advanced copy
✨️ ARC REVIEW ✨️
Bookish With Benefits By Alia Smith
Publication date: May 1st 2025
If you love books with bookish plots then this is a MUST READ! I cannot put into words how much I enjoyed this🥹 I literally lived every emotion under the sun with this read, the banter was bantering 🤣 the chemistry was just🔥 - I have never rooted for a book couple the way I did with this one 🥲❤️🩹 honestly this is one of my favourite romance books I've read this year
Plot Summary
Lara, an editor who doesn't believe in "happy ever afters and Rory, a best selling author (charmer) who doesn't know what real love feels like end up working together on a manuscript for his next book .. Oh and a no strings attached agreement comes along with helping Rory stay on track with the deadline ..
What to expect / Tropes
▪︎ Forced proximity
▪︎ Banter
▪︎ Friends with benefits
▪︎ Opposites attract
▪︎ Slow burn romance
▪︎ Author and editor duo
▪︎ Workplace romance
▪︎ Angst / tension
▪︎ Late night work sessions
▪︎ Grumpy x sunshine
▪︎ Secret revealed
Thanks to the author for the advanced copy
April 15, 2025
My first ARC!!! 🎉 And what a wonderful first one to have. Let me start off by saying this: I read a lot of books where the MCs are writers, yeah? This was the first time where I read a book where the MC is an editor, and I LOVED that element. It's just a whole different world, and I think that getting to go into the mind of someone who edits these stories was a totally different experience as a person who reads a ton of romance novels. (I think I might be thinking about Lara's editing while I read to know whether something is too wordy or too cliche, ha!) Within the first chapter, Lara describes herself as, "I wield omnipotent power over errant commas, adverb abuse, and obscure metaphors." Loooooved that description! We often praise the author for their incredible story, but let's take a moment to shout-out all the editors who do the real heavy-lifting. (and no, Lara, you are not just a 'glorified spellchecker who occasionally tells people their plot twists sucks.')
Additionally, there's just something that comes off as more fun when the FMC is grumpy and the MC is the sunshine -- we are so used to the reverse, so again: a fresh perspective to have the hardass editor on this one. :) I really did like Lara as she was pretty no-nonsense and straight-forward, but I liked getting to see her character open up and sort of push past this "mold" she was holding herself in to actually cross the line of comfort into taking the risks to reach her dreams.
And Rory, oh witty & charming Rory -- I love a persistent MMC who is both flirty, but patient.
I laughed a lot with this one too. I think in general, I just love books written by British authors because they're true romantic comedies with the way they talk or the scenarios they encounter. I'll list a few below of my favorite lines, but I just enjoyed a) the banter, and b) the ways in which things were described.
I was sort of hoping that we'd maybe get a liiiiittle more on Lara's backstory of her failed relationship -- we got that one scene of their conversation when they were breaking it off, but I was wanting to know a little more about why it made her so hardened to future relationships.
However, honestly, I did feel it was more important to see the moment she finds her old journals, and we see her initial insecurity about how she's good at fixing things but was abandoning her work when it became more than she was willing to give. I think, if anything, the bigger focus on that I think helps us understand her hesitation to even move forward with Rory when the feelings start to escalate. She points out that she has really catered her life around the comfort of knowing her expectations and routines, and taking risks are not in her bag. I felt her super hard when she hits that realization of now knowing if what she's doing is enough to satisfy herself.
I also felt like we dove really fast and kind of unexpectedly into Rory's offer to Lara in the beginning -- I was a little like, "Wait, what? He didn't walk, he ran to that." So I was wanting just a little more of a lead-up of their tension to that part. Regardless, I loved their chemistry. When he first accidentally slides in the big L word, ugh god, I was giddy. And the grand gesture at the end? Perfection. (Although dang, in that epilogue, I was extremely nervous it was signaling that they were not together)
Overall, I so enjoyed this romantic comedy, and I look forward to future reads from this author!
PS, Alia! Hiiiii! I'm an illustrator, and I always look at the copyright page to see who the book illustrator is -- I think this cover is cute, but I could also picture SUCH a lovely refreshing illustration style for your writing style. I'm throwing myself out here to say that I'd love to work together on future books if you find yourself needing a book cover illustrator!
Okay, favorite lines that had me giggggling:
• "'Show, don't tell...' I mutter, crossing out yet another paragraph where the heroine spends three sentences describing how much she loves sunsets. 'We get it. The sky is orange. Move on.'" LOL
• "It's infuriating how someone can look so put-together on his back cover author photo, and yet write sentences like 'Her love was a lighthouse guiding his shipwrecked heart.'" Hahahha.
• "Don't take this the wrong way, but you look like you've just gone twelve rounds with a malfunctioning printer and lost. Badly."
• Danny had me howling when we first met him: "Rory Keane, huh? The man, the myth, the... migrane?" and "How does it feel to be working with the literary equivalent of a human golden retriever?"
• "No, it's for this book. The one you're currently editing with all the enthusiasm of someone being forced to assemble IKEA furniture without instructions." HAHHAHHAH
• "Fine. I'll narrow it down. You're stuck on a desert island--" "Why am I always stranded in these scenarios? Am I shipwrecked? Plane crash? Did I anger Poseidon?"
• "What if he is just fine keeping things light, while I'm over here mentally rewriting our meet-cute into something Nicholas Sparks-level tragic?"
• "You wound me, Yates." "Good. Keep bleeding -- it builds character." HAHAHA
• "Because avoiding failure is totally the same thing as avoiding success." DAMN, I didn't laugh at this one, but I highlighted it & pretty sure I said, "DAMN." out loud too, haha.
• "And yet, here I am, fleeing the battlefield like an intern who accidentally hit "Reply All" on their first day." Hahahha.
Additionally, there's just something that comes off as more fun when the FMC is grumpy and the MC is the sunshine -- we are so used to the reverse, so again: a fresh perspective to have the hardass editor on this one. :) I really did like Lara as she was pretty no-nonsense and straight-forward, but I liked getting to see her character open up and sort of push past this "mold" she was holding herself in to actually cross the line of comfort into taking the risks to reach her dreams.
And Rory, oh witty & charming Rory -- I love a persistent MMC who is both flirty, but patient.
I laughed a lot with this one too. I think in general, I just love books written by British authors because they're true romantic comedies with the way they talk or the scenarios they encounter. I'll list a few below of my favorite lines, but I just enjoyed a) the banter, and b) the ways in which things were described.
I was sort of hoping that we'd maybe get a liiiiittle more on Lara's backstory of her failed relationship -- we got that one scene of their conversation when they were breaking it off, but I was wanting to know a little more about why it made her so hardened to future relationships.
However, honestly, I did feel it was more important to see the moment she finds her old journals, and we see her initial insecurity about how she's good at fixing things but was abandoning her work when it became more than she was willing to give. I think, if anything, the bigger focus on that I think helps us understand her hesitation to even move forward with Rory when the feelings start to escalate. She points out that she has really catered her life around the comfort of knowing her expectations and routines, and taking risks are not in her bag. I felt her super hard when she hits that realization of now knowing if what she's doing is enough to satisfy herself.
I also felt like we dove really fast and kind of unexpectedly into Rory's offer to Lara in the beginning -- I was a little like, "Wait, what? He didn't walk, he ran to that." So I was wanting just a little more of a lead-up of their tension to that part. Regardless, I loved their chemistry. When he first accidentally slides in the big L word, ugh god, I was giddy. And the grand gesture at the end? Perfection. (Although dang, in that epilogue, I was extremely nervous it was signaling that they were not together)
Overall, I so enjoyed this romantic comedy, and I look forward to future reads from this author!
PS, Alia! Hiiiii! I'm an illustrator, and I always look at the copyright page to see who the book illustrator is -- I think this cover is cute, but I could also picture SUCH a lovely refreshing illustration style for your writing style. I'm throwing myself out here to say that I'd love to work together on future books if you find yourself needing a book cover illustrator!
Okay, favorite lines that had me giggggling:
• "'Show, don't tell...' I mutter, crossing out yet another paragraph where the heroine spends three sentences describing how much she loves sunsets. 'We get it. The sky is orange. Move on.'" LOL
• "It's infuriating how someone can look so put-together on his back cover author photo, and yet write sentences like 'Her love was a lighthouse guiding his shipwrecked heart.'" Hahahha.
• "Don't take this the wrong way, but you look like you've just gone twelve rounds with a malfunctioning printer and lost. Badly."
• Danny had me howling when we first met him: "Rory Keane, huh? The man, the myth, the... migrane?" and "How does it feel to be working with the literary equivalent of a human golden retriever?"
• "No, it's for this book. The one you're currently editing with all the enthusiasm of someone being forced to assemble IKEA furniture without instructions." HAHHAHHAH
• "Fine. I'll narrow it down. You're stuck on a desert island--" "Why am I always stranded in these scenarios? Am I shipwrecked? Plane crash? Did I anger Poseidon?"
• "What if he is just fine keeping things light, while I'm over here mentally rewriting our meet-cute into something Nicholas Sparks-level tragic?"
• "You wound me, Yates." "Good. Keep bleeding -- it builds character." HAHAHA
• "Because avoiding failure is totally the same thing as avoiding success." DAMN, I didn't laugh at this one, but I highlighted it & pretty sure I said, "DAMN." out loud too, haha.
• "And yet, here I am, fleeing the battlefield like an intern who accidentally hit "Reply All" on their first day." Hahahha.
April 6, 2025
3.5
Thank you to Alia Smith and BookFunnel for this ARC!
This was an utterly adorable and sweet read that flipped a beloved trope on its head—instead of the usual sunshine girl/grumpy guy, we get grumpy girl/sunshine boy, and I was HERE for it. Lara is the no-nonsense, take-no-prisoners editor at the top of her game, and I totally bought into her badass energy. She’s sharp, guarded, and unapologetically ambitious. Enter Rory—our dimple-popping, smooth-talking cinnamon roll of a romance author who could charm the punctuation off a manuscript. Honestly, if Rory smiled at me, I’d forget how to spell “book”.
Let me level with you: if you like your romance spicy, you might find this more of a sweet heat situation but still a satisfying read.
What really stood out for me was the setting. I could feel the cobbled streets and rainy mornings before London was even mentioned—Alia Smith did such a great job bringing the city to life, it was like a supporting character of its own.
Lara’s inner journey—her doubt, her growth, her quiet unraveling—was beautifully done. By the end, I was ready to dust off my keyboard and pursue my own author dreams.
What would’ve made it perfect?
• More Danny! He was a scene-stealer and I wanted more of him.
• More on Lara’s backstory, especially the infamous breakup and the parental drama. Her parents were barely on-page and somehow still managed to be the worst.
All in all, this was a charming, heartwarming read that left me smiling.
Thank you to Alia Smith and BookFunnel for this ARC!
This was an utterly adorable and sweet read that flipped a beloved trope on its head—instead of the usual sunshine girl/grumpy guy, we get grumpy girl/sunshine boy, and I was HERE for it. Lara is the no-nonsense, take-no-prisoners editor at the top of her game, and I totally bought into her badass energy. She’s sharp, guarded, and unapologetically ambitious. Enter Rory—our dimple-popping, smooth-talking cinnamon roll of a romance author who could charm the punctuation off a manuscript. Honestly, if Rory smiled at me, I’d forget how to spell “book”.
Let me level with you: if you like your romance spicy, you might find this more of a sweet heat situation but still a satisfying read.
What really stood out for me was the setting. I could feel the cobbled streets and rainy mornings before London was even mentioned—Alia Smith did such a great job bringing the city to life, it was like a supporting character of its own.
Lara’s inner journey—her doubt, her growth, her quiet unraveling—was beautifully done. By the end, I was ready to dust off my keyboard and pursue my own author dreams.
What would’ve made it perfect?
• More Danny! He was a scene-stealer and I wanted more of him.
• More on Lara’s backstory, especially the infamous breakup and the parental drama. Her parents were barely on-page and somehow still managed to be the worst.
All in all, this was a charming, heartwarming read that left me smiling.
May 3, 2025
What a cute little contemporary romance! I loved the reverse grumpy sunshine trope that we got. I really enjoyed seeing the characters messy sides and seeing them grow throughout the story. The sexy scenes are more closed door than I expected. But it was a quick read that kept me engaged throughout most of the story.
3.5 star rating, thanks to Alia Smith for an advanced copy for my honest review.
3.5 star rating, thanks to Alia Smith for an advanced copy for my honest review.
April 4, 2025
4⭐️
🌶️
Read the ARC copy of this book and my first time reading one. This was so cute and funny, had a great time reading this story and fell in love with the characters.
It was so truthful in what the writing process is like and getting back into writing. I love books that involve books 😍📚.
The romance was so sweet, loved the tension between the characters. Will definitely be reading more by the author ❤️
🌶️
Read the ARC copy of this book and my first time reading one. This was so cute and funny, had a great time reading this story and fell in love with the characters.
It was so truthful in what the writing process is like and getting back into writing. I love books that involve books 😍📚.
The romance was so sweet, loved the tension between the characters. Will definitely be reading more by the author ❤️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 3, 2025
“Guess we’re both a bit of a mess, huh?” I say, attempting a weak smile. “Speak for yourself. I’m a delight!” 🧡
I picked this one up on a whim, drawn in by the title and a pretty front cover, and settled down for what I anticipated would be my usual spicy read. Imagine my surprise then, when one minute Lara and Rory were having a moment, the next they were rather sheepishly adjusting their attire. It gave me a chuckle once I realised it was a proper "fade to black" situation, a completely clean romance. Not what I was expecting, perhaps, but certainly a refreshing change of pace. And you know what? Once I adjusted my expectations, I found myself utterly charmed by Lara and Rory's story. It was genuinely sweet, the kind of romance that leaves you with a warm and fuzzy feeling inside. I was completely invested in their journey, wanting them to find their happy ever after.
What truly shone for me was the humour woven throughout the narrative. Alia Smith has a real knack for writing witty dialogue and creating genuinely funny situations. Lara and Rory's banter was an absolute joy to read. They had this wonderful back-and-forth, a playful teasing that felt natural and endearing. Beyond the romance and the humour, there was a real warmth to the story. Alia Smith created characters that felt relatable and likeable. Lara, with her bookish charm, and Rory, with his easygoing nature, were a joy to spend time with. Their connection felt genuine, built on shared interests and a growing affection that blossomed beautifully throughout the book. It wasn't a whirlwind, dramatic romance, but rather a gentle unfolding of feelings, which I found incredibly satisfying. I also appreciated the focus on their personal growth alongside their developing relationship. Lara had her own journey of self-discovery, and Rory was equally compelling in his own right. This depth added another layer to the story and made me root for them even more.
So, if you're after a genuinely lovely, clean romance with plenty of laughs and delightful banter, then I definitely recommend Bookish With Benefits. 🩷
I picked this one up on a whim, drawn in by the title and a pretty front cover, and settled down for what I anticipated would be my usual spicy read. Imagine my surprise then, when one minute Lara and Rory were having a moment, the next they were rather sheepishly adjusting their attire. It gave me a chuckle once I realised it was a proper "fade to black" situation, a completely clean romance. Not what I was expecting, perhaps, but certainly a refreshing change of pace. And you know what? Once I adjusted my expectations, I found myself utterly charmed by Lara and Rory's story. It was genuinely sweet, the kind of romance that leaves you with a warm and fuzzy feeling inside. I was completely invested in their journey, wanting them to find their happy ever after.
What truly shone for me was the humour woven throughout the narrative. Alia Smith has a real knack for writing witty dialogue and creating genuinely funny situations. Lara and Rory's banter was an absolute joy to read. They had this wonderful back-and-forth, a playful teasing that felt natural and endearing. Beyond the romance and the humour, there was a real warmth to the story. Alia Smith created characters that felt relatable and likeable. Lara, with her bookish charm, and Rory, with his easygoing nature, were a joy to spend time with. Their connection felt genuine, built on shared interests and a growing affection that blossomed beautifully throughout the book. It wasn't a whirlwind, dramatic romance, but rather a gentle unfolding of feelings, which I found incredibly satisfying. I also appreciated the focus on their personal growth alongside their developing relationship. Lara had her own journey of self-discovery, and Rory was equally compelling in his own right. This depth added another layer to the story and made me root for them even more.
So, if you're after a genuinely lovely, clean romance with plenty of laughs and delightful banter, then I definitely recommend Bookish With Benefits. 🩷
May 1, 2025
Happy release day!
This book is a great example of modern romance. It’s a messy, emotional love story about taking risks and finding the courage to believe in yourself. I read it in one sitting — the storyline is easy to follow, and I was quickly pulled in.
I enjoyed the reverse grumpy x sunshine trope — the grumpy one being the heroine for once! It’s a light read with closed-door scenes, so if you're used to spicier romances, this might feel more like a soft, slow-burn story.
The rom-com centers on Lara, an editor who doesn’t believe in love. She’s assigned to edit the latest book from Rory — a golden-retriever-type author who’s behind on his deadline. There’s plenty of fun banter, slow-building chemistry, and a workplace romance that feels genuine.
One thing I loved was the peek into the publishing world — it was interesting to see how the editor-author relationship works.
My only real critique: it took me a little while to get into the story. Since the book is told entirely from Lara’s point of view, there’s a lot of internal monologue, which sometimes feels repetitive. I also wish we got more of Danny, and I would’ve liked a bit more clarity around some of Rory’s decisions/actions.
That said, the plot twist genuinely surprised me — I didn’t see it coming, and it added a lot of emotional depth to the story.
Thank you Alia Smith for sending me this ARC. It was an amazing opportunity !
This book is a great example of modern romance. It’s a messy, emotional love story about taking risks and finding the courage to believe in yourself. I read it in one sitting — the storyline is easy to follow, and I was quickly pulled in.
I enjoyed the reverse grumpy x sunshine trope — the grumpy one being the heroine for once! It’s a light read with closed-door scenes, so if you're used to spicier romances, this might feel more like a soft, slow-burn story.
The rom-com centers on Lara, an editor who doesn’t believe in love. She’s assigned to edit the latest book from Rory — a golden-retriever-type author who’s behind on his deadline. There’s plenty of fun banter, slow-building chemistry, and a workplace romance that feels genuine.
One thing I loved was the peek into the publishing world — it was interesting to see how the editor-author relationship works.
My only real critique: it took me a little while to get into the story. Since the book is told entirely from Lara’s point of view, there’s a lot of internal monologue, which sometimes feels repetitive. I also wish we got more of Danny, and I would’ve liked a bit more clarity around some of Rory’s decisions/actions.
That said, the plot twist genuinely surprised me — I didn’t see it coming, and it added a lot of emotional depth to the story.
Thank you Alia Smith for sending me this ARC. It was an amazing opportunity !
April 14, 2025
Read an ARC.of this book, really enjoyed the last 150 page. Was a cute writer/editor romcom
April 2, 2025
Really enjoyed this book! Read it in one day! Storyline was super easy to follow, great wit, and a good amount of chaos! Would highly recommend!
May 27, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 | ARC Review
Thank you to the author and publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
"Bookish with Benefits" is a charming, slow-burn romance that had me hooked from the very first page. Alia Smith has written a story that feels like a cozy night in — filled with witty banter and deep emotional tension. Which is my cup of tea, I love the rude to softy vibes in a romance. I also laughed quite a bit with Lara and her snarky remarks.
Tropes:
✔ Grumpy x Sunshine
✔ Forced Proximity
✔ Slow Burn
✔ Office Romance vibes
✔ Secret Softies
I gave it a 4.5 because it lacked a little in spicy and I did want more drama with Danny and also more of her back story and her break up. Other than this I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I would recommend
Thank you to the author and publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
"Bookish with Benefits" is a charming, slow-burn romance that had me hooked from the very first page. Alia Smith has written a story that feels like a cozy night in — filled with witty banter and deep emotional tension. Which is my cup of tea, I love the rude to softy vibes in a romance. I also laughed quite a bit with Lara and her snarky remarks.
Tropes:
✔ Grumpy x Sunshine
✔ Forced Proximity
✔ Slow Burn
✔ Office Romance vibes
✔ Secret Softies
I gave it a 4.5 because it lacked a little in spicy and I did want more drama with Danny and also more of her back story and her break up. Other than this I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I would recommend
May 25, 2025
Thank you to Alia Smith for my ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I really wanted to like this book, and at parts I did enjoy it, but I mostly found it to be a little all over the place. I feel like this book couldn't quite decide on a plot and tried to be 5 different books in one without spending the time needed on any singular plot point. I can definitely see the potential that Alia has in her writing, but I wish this book would have slowed down a bit and committed to one or two of the tropes/plot points instead of rushing to cram in so many in such a short amount of time.
I am excited to see what Alia does next, because I think she has a lot of potential as an author, but this book was just not it for me.
I really wanted to like this book, and at parts I did enjoy it, but I mostly found it to be a little all over the place. I feel like this book couldn't quite decide on a plot and tried to be 5 different books in one without spending the time needed on any singular plot point. I can definitely see the potential that Alia has in her writing, but I wish this book would have slowed down a bit and committed to one or two of the tropes/plot points instead of rushing to cram in so many in such a short amount of time.
I am excited to see what Alia does next, because I think she has a lot of potential as an author, but this book was just not it for me.
May 15, 2025
I received this book as an ARC! I loved how the characters are are written so flawless. Lara is a do it herself,take no shit from anyone and I love it! Rory is a bestselling author who well is just that and determined! This book is such an easy read and cozy romance novel! I loved to read it,it flowed easily and was well written! I gave this book 3.5 stars but had to round up!
Here is the blurb!
His muse is missing. His manuscript is a mess. And his only hope? The woman who doesn’t believe in happily-ever-afters.
Lara Yates fixes love stories for a living, but she stopped believing in them a long time ago. As a sharp-tongued editor, she knows romance follows a formula, and real life rarely delivers the perfect ending.
Bestselling author Rory Keane, on the other hand, has built his career on happily-ever-afters—until he hits a creative wall. With a deadline looming and his book falling apart, he needs help, and Lara is the only one who can whip his manuscript (and him) into shape.
Their deal? She keeps him on track. He makes sure she has a little fun. No emotions, no complications, just late-night brainstorming sessions and strictly professional tension. But as the lines between fiction and reality blur, Lara and Rory are forced to ask themselves: is this just another story… or the start of something real?
Here is the blurb!
His muse is missing. His manuscript is a mess. And his only hope? The woman who doesn’t believe in happily-ever-afters.
Lara Yates fixes love stories for a living, but she stopped believing in them a long time ago. As a sharp-tongued editor, she knows romance follows a formula, and real life rarely delivers the perfect ending.
Bestselling author Rory Keane, on the other hand, has built his career on happily-ever-afters—until he hits a creative wall. With a deadline looming and his book falling apart, he needs help, and Lara is the only one who can whip his manuscript (and him) into shape.
Their deal? She keeps him on track. He makes sure she has a little fun. No emotions, no complications, just late-night brainstorming sessions and strictly professional tension. But as the lines between fiction and reality blur, Lara and Rory are forced to ask themselves: is this just another story… or the start of something real?
April 29, 2025
If you enjoy closed door romance with book themes, you will love this book. I enjoyed seeing the FMC be an editor and the MMC being an author.
I love a good grumpy/sunshine and was pleasantly surprised to see the FMC was the grumpy one.
I really enjoyed the character growth and vulnerability shown in this story. It makes the characters feel more real.
I love a good grumpy/sunshine and was pleasantly surprised to see the FMC was the grumpy one.
I really enjoyed the character growth and vulnerability shown in this story. It makes the characters feel more real.
April 20, 2025
ARC review
3.5- 4⭐️ (rounded up)
I appreciate how this book was written, how it flowed pretty effortlessly. I was left with a lot of questions in the end but that didn’t change the fact I still really liked it. If you are looking for spice this may not be for you but it’s definitely a sweet romance.
Overall I enjoyed this book and devoured it in basically 24 hours. It was an easy short read.
These two had banter for days! Lara is such a tough boss chick and doesn’t take no crap from Rory. I think that’s what captured Rory from the start was that he wasn’t use to people not kissing his ass. Lara called out Rory on all of his BS.
I liked Danny being a solid friend for Lara. I feel like others it would have been nice to see him more. Maybe even have had him meet Rory.
Rory’s family seemed like a complete vibe! I was also glad in the end he gave Aoife credit which I am sure caused a riffle between the two of them over the years. We didn’t really get to see the full side of that without Liam’s POV on what that potentially meant. His confession for Lara was a gamble knowing she doesn’t like to be in the spotlight but it paid off and was so sweet.
Now what I wish I would of got more of:
A lot of below I think could have been resolved in a longer book. It being only 300 pages I think there was room to include more.
- At first I didn’t mind the single POV but I craved to see the emotional/character development of Rory in this book. He has a story to him and while the main focus of the book was on Lara I think there may have big a bigger pay off in the end especially during the 3+ months they weren’t talking.
- A deeper back story for Lara. We saw glimpses of her story, of her family and we saw her doubt during a lot of the chapters where she had internal dialogues of self doubt. We definitely saw growth but I think if there was more detail on her family/James especially conversations with Rory.
- More time with the couple after the grand gesture. We kinda abruptly go from the stage to 18 months later in a coffee shop where it was a bit confusing on if they have been together the whole time or deciding to be together in that moment. I only say that because how the scene is written there is hesitance behind the kissing or calling out something shifting but when I first started that chapter I thought that was just then 1.5 years later already being together? The mention of always makes sense cause that’s Lara saying this is long term. All in all I just felt we didn’t get the full well rounding at the end of the story. Maybe that’s just me though?
3.5- 4⭐️ (rounded up)
I appreciate how this book was written, how it flowed pretty effortlessly. I was left with a lot of questions in the end but that didn’t change the fact I still really liked it. If you are looking for spice this may not be for you but it’s definitely a sweet romance.
Overall I enjoyed this book and devoured it in basically 24 hours. It was an easy short read.
These two had banter for days! Lara is such a tough boss chick and doesn’t take no crap from Rory. I think that’s what captured Rory from the start was that he wasn’t use to people not kissing his ass. Lara called out Rory on all of his BS.
I liked Danny being a solid friend for Lara. I feel like others it would have been nice to see him more. Maybe even have had him meet Rory.
Rory’s family seemed like a complete vibe! I was also glad in the end he gave Aoife credit which I am sure caused a riffle between the two of them over the years. We didn’t really get to see the full side of that without Liam’s POV on what that potentially meant. His confession for Lara was a gamble knowing she doesn’t like to be in the spotlight but it paid off and was so sweet.
Now what I wish I would of got more of:
A lot of below I think could have been resolved in a longer book. It being only 300 pages I think there was room to include more.
- At first I didn’t mind the single POV but I craved to see the emotional/character development of Rory in this book. He has a story to him and while the main focus of the book was on Lara I think there may have big a bigger pay off in the end especially during the 3+ months they weren’t talking.
- A deeper back story for Lara. We saw glimpses of her story, of her family and we saw her doubt during a lot of the chapters where she had internal dialogues of self doubt. We definitely saw growth but I think if there was more detail on her family/James especially conversations with Rory.
- More time with the couple after the grand gesture. We kinda abruptly go from the stage to 18 months later in a coffee shop where it was a bit confusing on if they have been together the whole time or deciding to be together in that moment. I only say that because how the scene is written there is hesitance behind the kissing or calling out something shifting but when I first started that chapter I thought that was just then 1.5 years later already being together? The mention of always makes sense cause that’s Lara saying this is long term. All in all I just felt we didn’t get the full well rounding at the end of the story. Maybe that’s just me though?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 4, 2025
( I received this as an ARC direct from the author. This is my unbiased review)
When you first discover a book that is immersed in the writer and bookish world as a reader (at least for me) your interest perks. It becomes easy to relate because you identify with a lot of the situations. Sure I am not part of the publish and editing world but Alia Smith helps the reader relate and feel the stress and energy of that world.
Rory is a popular romance novelist that has lost his spark and muse. His recent novel deadline is coming up and he is dragging without inspiration. His current outline is chaotic mess and the team is worried there is nothing to print. They end up calling in Lara Yates to help polish and fix the problem and that is where Bookish with Benefits begins.
Rory is polished, handsome, charming and can win anyone over with a smile and a quick word. Lara is detail focused and prickly with her stern "lets get this done" demeanor and nudge up of glasses way.
This is your Sunshine x Grumpy trope meets forced proximity meets friends with benefits. Of course there are other tropes but those stand out the most.
It is up to Rory and Lara to get this book finished so it can be published by deadline. During this time the two start to fall for each other after Rory suggests a friends with benefits opportunity to help spark his creative inspiration. Lara reluctantly agrees and this is where the romance of Bookish with Benefits takes off.
The romance is a soft cozy heat with more use your imagination then detail. In some ways the exchange gave me subtle Bridget Jones Diary feels if you made Bridget someone like Lara and took out the obsessed with love ideal. Lara is prickly and standoffish and detached from affection and love. Her character screams past trauma and oddly that is what I liked best about Bookish with Benefits.
The romance between Rory and Lara was enjoyable enough but borderline cliche at parts. It thankfully didnt take away from the book though. However, what kept me reading was Lara.
The way Lara changed and developed as the story went on kept my attention. I almost could care less about Rory and Lara's relationship because I was so drawn in to the references to Lara's past, her trauma, and her future.
Lara is a character with depth and understandable emotion. While the romance was cute and sweet it was the depth of the characters hinted at that kept me reading.
That being said Bookish with Benefits is a cozy bookish romance with adorable cliche tropes that speak to any rom-com lovers spirit. As a debut author's start it was a fun and enjoyable beginning. Until next time, happy reading!
When you first discover a book that is immersed in the writer and bookish world as a reader (at least for me) your interest perks. It becomes easy to relate because you identify with a lot of the situations. Sure I am not part of the publish and editing world but Alia Smith helps the reader relate and feel the stress and energy of that world.
Rory is a popular romance novelist that has lost his spark and muse. His recent novel deadline is coming up and he is dragging without inspiration. His current outline is chaotic mess and the team is worried there is nothing to print. They end up calling in Lara Yates to help polish and fix the problem and that is where Bookish with Benefits begins.
Rory is polished, handsome, charming and can win anyone over with a smile and a quick word. Lara is detail focused and prickly with her stern "lets get this done" demeanor and nudge up of glasses way.
This is your Sunshine x Grumpy trope meets forced proximity meets friends with benefits. Of course there are other tropes but those stand out the most.
It is up to Rory and Lara to get this book finished so it can be published by deadline. During this time the two start to fall for each other after Rory suggests a friends with benefits opportunity to help spark his creative inspiration. Lara reluctantly agrees and this is where the romance of Bookish with Benefits takes off.
The romance is a soft cozy heat with more use your imagination then detail. In some ways the exchange gave me subtle Bridget Jones Diary feels if you made Bridget someone like Lara and took out the obsessed with love ideal. Lara is prickly and standoffish and detached from affection and love. Her character screams past trauma and oddly that is what I liked best about Bookish with Benefits.
The romance between Rory and Lara was enjoyable enough but borderline cliche at parts. It thankfully didnt take away from the book though. However, what kept me reading was Lara.
The way Lara changed and developed as the story went on kept my attention. I almost could care less about Rory and Lara's relationship because I was so drawn in to the references to Lara's past, her trauma, and her future.
Lara is a character with depth and understandable emotion. While the romance was cute and sweet it was the depth of the characters hinted at that kept me reading.
That being said Bookish with Benefits is a cozy bookish romance with adorable cliche tropes that speak to any rom-com lovers spirit. As a debut author's start it was a fun and enjoyable beginning. Until next time, happy reading!
April 30, 2025
ARC Review!!!
3.7-4 stars!!!
This book was a breath of fresh air in my reading journey so far this year. Naming an editor Yates (Yeats, as in W. B. Yeats) was everything to me, as an English major. I'm laughing to myself that it took me seeing the name Aoife to realize that this book is in fact not taking place in the USA, but the UK, which was fun to figure out.
Lara was an amazing mc, where I felt like I could see a bit of myself in her not ever wanting to veer off course, and being hesitant to get distracted from her work. I also loved that she was an editor; seeing her scrutinize works was really fun. Her no-nonsense work ethic brought her to life in my opinion.
Rory was also a lovely character to read about and I'm 100% assuming that that is because he wasn't written by a man. He had a real personality. The plot twist he brought to this book, and to Lara's life was wonderful. He caught her off guard in the best ways and I think that was important for her character development too.
I loved Danny as a supporting character but I would've liked to see more of him. It felt like he was there for convenience of the plot which I can understand, but his character could've been so much more present!
There were so many aspects of this book that felt especially rom-commy that I loved, including how torturous it was to be in the same room as Rory. Lara, I understand you<3 these two were truly meant to be. The big blow up was actually unexpected, like I knew it was coming because I am a simple girl who likes to follow formulas, including on how to write a rom-com, but I never expected the reveal to be what it was. Definitely took me by surprise, and Lara was totally right to be upset. Rory's comeback was perfect for what he did.
I didn't really enjoy the tropes but I enjoyed the plot. I hope that makes sense. I'm not swooning or anything, but this was a really good read for beginning my summer!!
3.7-4 stars!!!
This book was a breath of fresh air in my reading journey so far this year. Naming an editor Yates (Yeats, as in W. B. Yeats) was everything to me, as an English major. I'm laughing to myself that it took me seeing the name Aoife to realize that this book is in fact not taking place in the USA, but the UK, which was fun to figure out.
Lara was an amazing mc, where I felt like I could see a bit of myself in her not ever wanting to veer off course, and being hesitant to get distracted from her work. I also loved that she was an editor; seeing her scrutinize works was really fun. Her no-nonsense work ethic brought her to life in my opinion.
Rory was also a lovely character to read about and I'm 100% assuming that that is because he wasn't written by a man. He had a real personality. The plot twist he brought to this book, and to Lara's life was wonderful. He caught her off guard in the best ways and I think that was important for her character development too.
I loved Danny as a supporting character but I would've liked to see more of him. It felt like he was there for convenience of the plot which I can understand, but his character could've been so much more present!
There were so many aspects of this book that felt especially rom-commy that I loved, including how torturous it was to be in the same room as Rory. Lara, I understand you<3 these two were truly meant to be. The big blow up was actually unexpected, like I knew it was coming because I am a simple girl who likes to follow formulas, including on how to write a rom-com, but I never expected the reveal to be what it was. Definitely took me by surprise, and Lara was totally right to be upset. Rory's comeback was perfect for what he did.
I didn't really enjoy the tropes but I enjoyed the plot. I hope that makes sense. I'm not swooning or anything, but this was a really good read for beginning my summer!!
April 26, 2025
I just want to start of by saying a huge thank you to alia for this arc. This was honestly one of the most loveliest books I've read. It was quick, whitty, fun and such an easy and enjoyable read. I loved every second of it. Lara is an editor, she gave up her dreams of writing not thinking she was good enough, Rory is a best sellers hot romance author, loved by all, when a crisis needs everting by his upcoming deadline lara is put to the job. I adored the development of Lara and her needing to learn how to trust and believe that loves real, finding herself and going back to the story she wrote so many years ago. I adored every second of this, I do wish we had more of them together at the end as it felt a bit rushed however that love declaration was everything, so utterly beautifully done I loved it. I appreciate how there was hints of romance there however didn't go into full sexual detail making it more memorable without all the sex scenes showing how it's not always needed. id have loved more of them in s epilogue being proposed or something or the joint book. another scene id have loved would be her showing her parents wrong, that she is worth it, she has made a life for herself, has Rory and a darn good job.The dedication he wrote on his book for her broke me. A big congratulations to alia on her debut book, I can tell it'll go far. I'd put this within my top 10 books for this year
now here's some of my favorite snippets
"you weren't just someone I leaned on when things got hard. you are the thing Lara. the only thing that made any of it worth it"
"loving you has been the greatest risk I've ever taken. and the best thing I'll ever do'
"and when he leans in for another kiss, I know -i know- that this is the beggining of something bigger than either of us. something worth the risk"
now here's some of my favorite snippets
"you weren't just someone I leaned on when things got hard. you are the thing Lara. the only thing that made any of it worth it"
"loving you has been the greatest risk I've ever taken. and the best thing I'll ever do'
"and when he leans in for another kiss, I know -i know- that this is the beggining of something bigger than either of us. something worth the risk"
April 30, 2025
ARC review! Publishing May 1st.
Thank you to Alia Smith and Book Funnel for the advanced copy. What a great debut novel!
This book tells the story of no-nonsense and cynical editor, Lara, and hopeless romantic author, Rory, as they are forced to work together on Rory’s latest romance novel that is far from being ready to publish. While I often see bookish plots about authors, I was really excited to read about an editor in the main role.
It is immediately obvious that there’s chemistry between this grumpy (her)/sunshine (him) couple, but Lara doesn’t believe in love or happily ever after. When Rory proposes a no strings attached, co-workers with benefits situation, Lara hesitantly agrees, confident that she can keep the two aspects of their relationship separate. I don’t think it’s a spoiler to say that this arrangement doesn’t go as smoothly as our two MCs had planned!
I love that the author flips the grumpy/sunshine trope on its head, giving us a grumpy girl and sunshine boy in this enemies to lovers, forced proximity, he falls first, slow burn romance. If you’re looking for spice, this closed-door romance isn’t it, but it was enough for me.
While I ultimately enjoyed this book, Lara’s inner dialogue in the beginning felt a bit repetitive. Some added back story (what happened with James?) and Rory’s POV might’ve elevated this book a bit. There were also a few parts where I thought I had missed something, and the last chapter was a big jump from the grand gesture where I would’ve liked to read more about what happened in between.
Overall, this was a fun, easy to read romance and I will definitely read Alia’s next book. If you love romance, you’ll enjoy this one!
Thank you to Alia Smith and Book Funnel for the advanced copy. What a great debut novel!
This book tells the story of no-nonsense and cynical editor, Lara, and hopeless romantic author, Rory, as they are forced to work together on Rory’s latest romance novel that is far from being ready to publish. While I often see bookish plots about authors, I was really excited to read about an editor in the main role.
It is immediately obvious that there’s chemistry between this grumpy (her)/sunshine (him) couple, but Lara doesn’t believe in love or happily ever after. When Rory proposes a no strings attached, co-workers with benefits situation, Lara hesitantly agrees, confident that she can keep the two aspects of their relationship separate. I don’t think it’s a spoiler to say that this arrangement doesn’t go as smoothly as our two MCs had planned!
I love that the author flips the grumpy/sunshine trope on its head, giving us a grumpy girl and sunshine boy in this enemies to lovers, forced proximity, he falls first, slow burn romance. If you’re looking for spice, this closed-door romance isn’t it, but it was enough for me.
While I ultimately enjoyed this book, Lara’s inner dialogue in the beginning felt a bit repetitive. Some added back story (what happened with James?) and Rory’s POV might’ve elevated this book a bit. There were also a few parts where I thought I had missed something, and the last chapter was a big jump from the grand gesture where I would’ve liked to read more about what happened in between.
Overall, this was a fun, easy to read romance and I will definitely read Alia’s next book. If you love romance, you’ll enjoy this one!
April 15, 2025
Releases May 1st, 2025
ARC Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Truths ~ “Readers need something to root for,” says Lara Yates—and I couldn’t agree more. In Bookish with Benefits, I was absolutely, wholeheartedly rooting for this romance.
This book was extra special for me because it was my first ever ARC, and wow, what a ride it was. From the moment Lara opened her heart about love and hesitation, it felt like Alia Smith was speaking directly to me. I don’t say this lightly: this book resonated deeply. It felt personal. Like I was being lovingly called out in the most specific, #blessed kind of way.
The chemistry between Lara and Rory was undeniable—electric, even. That first kiss? The kind that makes your whole body tingle. I felt the desire, the longing, and more than anything, the fear. Not the constant overthinking (okay, maybe a little bit), but the raw hesitation to fall—because when you give your heart to someone, there’s always that terrifying risk they’ll shatter it.
Was I over Lara’s spiraling thoughts at times? Honestly, yes. But Alia Smith made it work. Lara’s vulnerability balanced perfectly with Rory’s cocky charm. Speaking of Rory—what a cocky SOB, and yet, I loved him. Their dynamic? Classic opposites-attract. A no-nonsense girl and a flirty, confident guy who challenged each other at every turn. They were like two sides of the same coin—he needed her depth, and she needed his levity.
The banter, the tension, the push and pull—it kept me hooked, heart palpitating, flipping pages to see where they’d land. I was fully invested in this messy, honest, beautifully flawed love story.
Alia Smith, you’ve got a new fan.
ARC Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Truths ~ “Readers need something to root for,” says Lara Yates—and I couldn’t agree more. In Bookish with Benefits, I was absolutely, wholeheartedly rooting for this romance.
This book was extra special for me because it was my first ever ARC, and wow, what a ride it was. From the moment Lara opened her heart about love and hesitation, it felt like Alia Smith was speaking directly to me. I don’t say this lightly: this book resonated deeply. It felt personal. Like I was being lovingly called out in the most specific, #blessed kind of way.
The chemistry between Lara and Rory was undeniable—electric, even. That first kiss? The kind that makes your whole body tingle. I felt the desire, the longing, and more than anything, the fear. Not the constant overthinking (okay, maybe a little bit), but the raw hesitation to fall—because when you give your heart to someone, there’s always that terrifying risk they’ll shatter it.
Was I over Lara’s spiraling thoughts at times? Honestly, yes. But Alia Smith made it work. Lara’s vulnerability balanced perfectly with Rory’s cocky charm. Speaking of Rory—what a cocky SOB, and yet, I loved him. Their dynamic? Classic opposites-attract. A no-nonsense girl and a flirty, confident guy who challenged each other at every turn. They were like two sides of the same coin—he needed her depth, and she needed his levity.
The banter, the tension, the push and pull—it kept me hooked, heart palpitating, flipping pages to see where they’d land. I was fully invested in this messy, honest, beautifully flawed love story.
Alia Smith, you’ve got a new fan.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 24, 2025
I was excited and honored to receive an ARC of Bookish with Benefits by Alia Smith.
The book will be released on May 1, 2025.
The intriguing title and cover art drew me in, and I was eager to dive into *Bookish with Benefits: A friends-with-benefits, forced proximity romance with undeniable chemistry.* The book is described as follows: *His muse is missing. His manuscript is a mess. And his only hope? The woman who doesn't believe in happily-ever-afters. Their deal? She keeps him on track, and he makes sure she has a little fun.* Interesting, right?
In this charming romance, there’s a twist on the Grump x Sunshine trope. Lara, the grumpy character, is a no-nonsense editor who doesn’t believe in love, while Rory, the Sunshine character, needs help with his next best-selling happily-ever-after. As the two are thrown together in a forced proximity scenario, their workplace romance begins to develop, featuring well-written, fun banter between Lara and Rory.
I appreciated the glimpse into the publishing industry and how important a publisher is to the process. It's fascinating to see how they work with authors to help shape the book's content and pacing.
One negative aspect I noticed was that Lara’s internal thoughts felt repetitive during the book's first half. I understand this was intended to show her overthinking and illustrate the character's internal journey and shift in beliefs.
This book is perfect for romance readers seeking a mild to medium spice level. There’s heat and chemistry between Rory and Lara, but it leans towards “closed-door” scenes rather than anything too intense. It’s a light read, great for the beach, vacation, or as a palate cleanser.
The book will be released on May 1, 2025.
The intriguing title and cover art drew me in, and I was eager to dive into *Bookish with Benefits: A friends-with-benefits, forced proximity romance with undeniable chemistry.* The book is described as follows: *His muse is missing. His manuscript is a mess. And his only hope? The woman who doesn't believe in happily-ever-afters. Their deal? She keeps him on track, and he makes sure she has a little fun.* Interesting, right?
In this charming romance, there’s a twist on the Grump x Sunshine trope. Lara, the grumpy character, is a no-nonsense editor who doesn’t believe in love, while Rory, the Sunshine character, needs help with his next best-selling happily-ever-after. As the two are thrown together in a forced proximity scenario, their workplace romance begins to develop, featuring well-written, fun banter between Lara and Rory.
I appreciated the glimpse into the publishing industry and how important a publisher is to the process. It's fascinating to see how they work with authors to help shape the book's content and pacing.
One negative aspect I noticed was that Lara’s internal thoughts felt repetitive during the book's first half. I understand this was intended to show her overthinking and illustrate the character's internal journey and shift in beliefs.
This book is perfect for romance readers seeking a mild to medium spice level. There’s heat and chemistry between Rory and Lara, but it leans towards “closed-door” scenes rather than anything too intense. It’s a light read, great for the beach, vacation, or as a palate cleanser.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 12, 2025
ARC Review Bookish with Benefits – 4.5 Stars
Bookish with Benefits is a friends with benefits to lovers romance that completely stole my heart. The setup? A romance author and his editor enter a no-strings arrangement… all in the name of “research.” I loved the rules for their little arrangement, they always are my favorite part of these types of stories—and the chemistry between Lara and Rory absolutely sizzled. Their banter was top-tier, with bickering that had me grinning, especially whenever Rory would flirt shamelessly while calling her “Yates.” The writing style was super engaging, and I couldn’t get enough of the way the story leaned into their creative partnership. Him being a romance author while she didn’t believe in love added the perfect tension. Her jealousy was subtle but so telling, and the moment he called her his “editor, creative partner, and muse” 🤭. Also, that plot twist with Rory’s sister Aoife? I did not see that coming. It added depth and emotional weight in the best way. And don’t even get me started on the dedication in his book, sweet, sincere, and so incredibly touching. The grand gesture and his speech at the end were the everything. Lara’s character development stood out so much. Watching her learn to trust herself, grow into her own strength, and realize she is enough made the story even more meaningful.
And my favorite quote?
“Her love was a lighthouse guiding his shipwrecked heart.” Absolute perfection.
Bookish with Benefits is a friends with benefits to lovers romance that completely stole my heart. The setup? A romance author and his editor enter a no-strings arrangement… all in the name of “research.” I loved the rules for their little arrangement, they always are my favorite part of these types of stories—and the chemistry between Lara and Rory absolutely sizzled. Their banter was top-tier, with bickering that had me grinning, especially whenever Rory would flirt shamelessly while calling her “Yates.” The writing style was super engaging, and I couldn’t get enough of the way the story leaned into their creative partnership. Him being a romance author while she didn’t believe in love added the perfect tension. Her jealousy was subtle but so telling, and the moment he called her his “editor, creative partner, and muse” 🤭. Also, that plot twist with Rory’s sister Aoife? I did not see that coming. It added depth and emotional weight in the best way. And don’t even get me started on the dedication in his book, sweet, sincere, and so incredibly touching. The grand gesture and his speech at the end were the everything. Lara’s character development stood out so much. Watching her learn to trust herself, grow into her own strength, and realize she is enough made the story even more meaningful.
And my favorite quote?
“Her love was a lighthouse guiding his shipwrecked heart.” Absolute perfection.
May 15, 2025
I had so much fun getting to read Bookish with Benefits, getting to read a story about an author and an editor racing against time to keep the reputation of both safe while learning what love can be, even while denying that it is happening. I would sit down and re-read this book as it was just so fun, sweet, and entertaining, while getting into the feelings we can have for others, trying to explore them while trying to break the mold that we might have grown up around, seeing what love or lack there of might look like; painful or amazing. Let your feelings pave the path, and don't always fight against what you feel is right.
If you are after just a nice, sweet, and a little spicy palette cleanser but a story that will keep you drawn in and enjoy fun banter, a determained MMC doing his best and a FMC who will kick his butt to get her job done. Look no further.
Lara Yates and Rory Keane will keep you guessing, keep you wanting to follow along in their story to figure out where they will go, what will happen, and make love come to life in the ways only they know, even if it's not always the most straight forward; love is messy, be prepared. There are some secrets they might not be prepared to share with each other as they can be painful, scary, or even a deal breaker.
I would like to thank Alia for the chance to be a part of their ARC team and the opportunity to read Bookish with Benefits!
If you are after just a nice, sweet, and a little spicy palette cleanser but a story that will keep you drawn in and enjoy fun banter, a determained MMC doing his best and a FMC who will kick his butt to get her job done. Look no further.
Lara Yates and Rory Keane will keep you guessing, keep you wanting to follow along in their story to figure out where they will go, what will happen, and make love come to life in the ways only they know, even if it's not always the most straight forward; love is messy, be prepared. There are some secrets they might not be prepared to share with each other as they can be painful, scary, or even a deal breaker.
I would like to thank Alia for the chance to be a part of their ARC team and the opportunity to read Bookish with Benefits!
April 24, 2025
** ARC Review **
Bookish with Benefits by Alia Smith - 2.5 Stars
Lara is a witty and feisty editor who wields her red pen with exacting precision. Placed in charge of their star author Rory Keane and his failing manuscript she finds a stubborn Rory who pushes her back at every chance. Will a chance arrangement bring them both everything they’re striving for or will it all end in disaster?
I must admit that I struggled somewhat with this book. For a story being told from an editor’s point of view I felt that this story required tidying up. From being told rather than being shown how the characters were feeling, to excessive information provided that had no bearing on the story whatsoever (I’m looking at you slouching bag) and finding that the pacing was off with the story not really picking up until after chapter 11 when we finally get some emotional connection. As the story progressed I found myself searching for chapters from Rory’s POV in the hope that there would be some explanation for some of his actions and choices. Sadly there were no explanations to be found and I was just left wanting answers. Danny is fantastic as Lara's best friend with his quick and cutting wit, calling out Lara's bullshit as he sees fit.
Would be enjoyed by those who like predictability in their reads and aren’t wanting spice. A light romcom with a HEA and witty banter.
Bookish with Benefits by Alia Smith - 2.5 Stars
Lara is a witty and feisty editor who wields her red pen with exacting precision. Placed in charge of their star author Rory Keane and his failing manuscript she finds a stubborn Rory who pushes her back at every chance. Will a chance arrangement bring them both everything they’re striving for or will it all end in disaster?
I must admit that I struggled somewhat with this book. For a story being told from an editor’s point of view I felt that this story required tidying up. From being told rather than being shown how the characters were feeling, to excessive information provided that had no bearing on the story whatsoever (I’m looking at you slouching bag) and finding that the pacing was off with the story not really picking up until after chapter 11 when we finally get some emotional connection. As the story progressed I found myself searching for chapters from Rory’s POV in the hope that there would be some explanation for some of his actions and choices. Sadly there were no explanations to be found and I was just left wanting answers. Danny is fantastic as Lara's best friend with his quick and cutting wit, calling out Lara's bullshit as he sees fit.
Would be enjoyed by those who like predictability in their reads and aren’t wanting spice. A light romcom with a HEA and witty banter.
April 30, 2025
eARC BOOK REVIEW💖
Thank you @aliasmithbooks for the gifted ebook!
Bookish With Benefits by Alia Smith
Release Date: May 1st, 2025
Genre: RomCom/Contemporary Romance
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
While it was a good read and I know it was a slow burner but it really took me a good minute to get into this book. However, as soon as it started to pick up speed and things started happening, it was like full steam ahead lol.
I loved the banter between Lara & Rory, at first Rory comes across as annoying and full of himself but he’s actually down to earth. Lara is great at her job but hides her true self behind her work, she’s also an over-thinker when it comes to her personal life.
Once they found their groove, they really did work well together. I also liked Danny, Lara’s best friend, he always looked out for her and gave her all the pep-talks she needed, not wanted. Always good to have a best friend like that in life!!
The tension and banter was a great mix for Lara and Rory, they both played into that well and it was well written. I do love me some good banter, it was funny and light-hearted. Especially, once I got to know the characters it became like second nature.
Lastly, I wish the chapters weren’t so long but overall it was a good read 🙂
Read this if you like:
💕Slow Burn
💕Forced Proximity
💕Witty Workplace Banter
💕Grumpy x Sunshine
💕Workplace Romance
💕Colleagues-to-Lovers
Thank you @aliasmithbooks for the gifted ebook!
Bookish With Benefits by Alia Smith
Release Date: May 1st, 2025
Genre: RomCom/Contemporary Romance
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
While it was a good read and I know it was a slow burner but it really took me a good minute to get into this book. However, as soon as it started to pick up speed and things started happening, it was like full steam ahead lol.
I loved the banter between Lara & Rory, at first Rory comes across as annoying and full of himself but he’s actually down to earth. Lara is great at her job but hides her true self behind her work, she’s also an over-thinker when it comes to her personal life.
Once they found their groove, they really did work well together. I also liked Danny, Lara’s best friend, he always looked out for her and gave her all the pep-talks she needed, not wanted. Always good to have a best friend like that in life!!
The tension and banter was a great mix for Lara and Rory, they both played into that well and it was well written. I do love me some good banter, it was funny and light-hearted. Especially, once I got to know the characters it became like second nature.
Lastly, I wish the chapters weren’t so long but overall it was a good read 🙂
Read this if you like:
💕Slow Burn
💕Forced Proximity
💕Witty Workplace Banter
💕Grumpy x Sunshine
💕Workplace Romance
💕Colleagues-to-Lovers
May 2, 2025
Wowza!! This is my first time reading a book where the main characters are an editor for a publishing company and a romance writer. And boy was I swept off my feet 🙂↕️ this is such a cute romance novel of two people trying to figure out this crazy world. We meet Lara Yates, an editor who is quick witted, sharp and has killer instincts when it comes to editing manuscripts and figuring out what’s missing. Although she is a skeptic herself, given her past, she is headstrong and doesn’t take any pushback from anybody, not even Rory Keane.
Rory Keane is a bestselling author on happily ever after novels! However, when Lara had to replace his previous editor, she could not believe what his work was. Rory has been trying to find that spark, his muse to inspire him to write his next novel with a deadline approaching at lightening speed. Lara may hide all she wants, but he has a way of breaking down even the thickest of walls surrounding one’s heart.
These two make a pact to ensure that they helped each other out, Rory with his upcoming novel and Lara’s ability to let loose! Despite spending so much time together, not once do they notice the spark that is blooming on the horizon. One of them tries their best to keep to themselves and ignore whatever this feeling is.
Rating: 6
Steamy scenes: 🔥🔥
Rory Keane is a bestselling author on happily ever after novels! However, when Lara had to replace his previous editor, she could not believe what his work was. Rory has been trying to find that spark, his muse to inspire him to write his next novel with a deadline approaching at lightening speed. Lara may hide all she wants, but he has a way of breaking down even the thickest of walls surrounding one’s heart.
These two make a pact to ensure that they helped each other out, Rory with his upcoming novel and Lara’s ability to let loose! Despite spending so much time together, not once do they notice the spark that is blooming on the horizon. One of them tries their best to keep to themselves and ignore whatever this feeling is.
Rating: 6
Steamy scenes: 🔥🔥
April 9, 2025
I need a minute or two to collect myself and collect my thoughts because oh my GOSH the writing skills of this author is absolutely incredible!
Without giving too much away, the FMC overthinks EVERYTHING… work related things, love related things… gosh she even overthinks overthinking and as someone who also overthinks everything this was SO relatable.
When I got around 50% read on the first day of reading, it was late at night so I had to go to sleep but I couldn’t because I was too busy overthinking the main characters problems THAT ARENT EVEN MINE because the writing is that intense in this!
The only reason I didn’t rate this a 5 star is because I felt that the FMC and MMCs feelings and attraction happened so fast without much detail given about why they felt the way that did.
There was also a lot of repetition in sentences / moments but I also think that in this particular book it can be seen as acceptable because again, the FMC overthinks everything over and over again.
This is a closed door romance so there’s no detail spice if that’s what you’re into, it’s a little different from what I usually read but boy oh boy I ATE THIS BOOK UP. AMAZING.
Without giving too much away, the FMC overthinks EVERYTHING… work related things, love related things… gosh she even overthinks overthinking and as someone who also overthinks everything this was SO relatable.
When I got around 50% read on the first day of reading, it was late at night so I had to go to sleep but I couldn’t because I was too busy overthinking the main characters problems THAT ARENT EVEN MINE because the writing is that intense in this!
The only reason I didn’t rate this a 5 star is because I felt that the FMC and MMCs feelings and attraction happened so fast without much detail given about why they felt the way that did.
There was also a lot of repetition in sentences / moments but I also think that in this particular book it can be seen as acceptable because again, the FMC overthinks everything over and over again.
This is a closed door romance so there’s no detail spice if that’s what you’re into, it’s a little different from what I usually read but boy oh boy I ATE THIS BOOK UP. AMAZING.
April 16, 2025
I fell completely head over heels for this witty, slow-burn workplace romance set deep in the chaotic heart of the publishing world.
The chemistry between Lara and Rory is electric from the very first scene. She’s all structure and precision, hiding a few scars; he’s the literary golden boy with a smile with a maddening knack for pushing her buttons. Watching them battle over edits, deadlines, and everything in between was an utter joy—and don’t even get me started on the tension.
But beneath the banter and steamy moments is a layered, emotionally satisfying story about vulnerability, trust, and finding the courage to rewrite your own narrative.
I highlighted so many lines I lost count. Alia Smith writes with such warmth, sharpness, and heart—I can’t believe this is her debut. If you love clever dialogue, characters with real emotional depth, and that glorious ache of a love that builds slowly but lands hard...this one’s for you.
Tropes I loved:
-Grumpy x Sunshine (and she's the grump!)
-Enemies to lovers
-Friends with benefits
-Forced proximity
-Slow-burn with a big payoff
The chemistry between Lara and Rory is electric from the very first scene. She’s all structure and precision, hiding a few scars; he’s the literary golden boy with a smile with a maddening knack for pushing her buttons. Watching them battle over edits, deadlines, and everything in between was an utter joy—and don’t even get me started on the tension.
But beneath the banter and steamy moments is a layered, emotionally satisfying story about vulnerability, trust, and finding the courage to rewrite your own narrative.
I highlighted so many lines I lost count. Alia Smith writes with such warmth, sharpness, and heart—I can’t believe this is her debut. If you love clever dialogue, characters with real emotional depth, and that glorious ache of a love that builds slowly but lands hard...this one’s for you.
Tropes I loved:
-Grumpy x Sunshine (and she's the grump!)
-Enemies to lovers
-Friends with benefits
-Forced proximity
-Slow-burn with a big payoff
April 8, 2025
ARC Review: Bookish with Benefits by Alia Smith
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25
Bookish with Benefits is a charming, light-hearted romance that had me smiling from start to finish. One of the standout aspects for me was that the male lead, Rory, is actually a romance writer—something you rarely see, and it totally worked! His dynamic with Lara, an editor who’s not here for love or nonsense, was full of snark, sass, and so much chemistry.
Their banter was sharp and genuinely funny, and I loved how their relationship developed through witty back-and-forths and reluctant collaboration. It gave the story a great flow and kept the pace feeling fresh without being rushed.
This is definitely a feel-good read with a slightly unconventional twist on the usual romance tropes. If you enjoy a bit of sarcasm, forced proximity, and watching two stubborn people fall for each other against their better judgment—this is your book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25
Bookish with Benefits is a charming, light-hearted romance that had me smiling from start to finish. One of the standout aspects for me was that the male lead, Rory, is actually a romance writer—something you rarely see, and it totally worked! His dynamic with Lara, an editor who’s not here for love or nonsense, was full of snark, sass, and so much chemistry.
Their banter was sharp and genuinely funny, and I loved how their relationship developed through witty back-and-forths and reluctant collaboration. It gave the story a great flow and kept the pace feeling fresh without being rushed.
This is definitely a feel-good read with a slightly unconventional twist on the usual romance tropes. If you enjoy a bit of sarcasm, forced proximity, and watching two stubborn people fall for each other against their better judgment—this is your book.
April 8, 2025
ARC read, honest review provided. Thank you Alia Smith for this one! Release date: May 1st
What happens when self doubt stands in the way of what could make you great? What happens when you find out that the person that's been challenging you helping you overcome your self doubt has been lying all along?
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Okay, overall, this was a cute one! It was a very sweet read that really focused on the F C's flaws and growth. I would say the actual relationship was a catalyst, but not the main event.
Although I thoroughly enjoyed what I read and found myself flying through it, I did find myself wanting more. I wanted a longer story around more family and personal resolution from the FMC. I would have liked to see more conflict, and actions leading to the growth she experienced.
The vibe was there with this story, making it a super fun read, but it would have been great if there was a bit more depth too.
Follow on IG: @literallylitreviews
What happens when self doubt stands in the way of what could make you great? What happens when you find out that the person that's been challenging you helping you overcome your self doubt has been lying all along?
--------
Okay, overall, this was a cute one! It was a very sweet read that really focused on the F C's flaws and growth. I would say the actual relationship was a catalyst, but not the main event.
Although I thoroughly enjoyed what I read and found myself flying through it, I did find myself wanting more. I wanted a longer story around more family and personal resolution from the FMC. I would have liked to see more conflict, and actions leading to the growth she experienced.
The vibe was there with this story, making it a super fun read, but it would have been great if there was a bit more depth too.
Follow on IG: @literallylitreviews
April 20, 2025
This was an arc read.
Even the title of this book makes me want to do a little happy dance! I knew just from the cover that I would enjoy this book.
Everyone loves a cheesy romance that makes you giggle and talk to your kindle! This is a friends with benefits to lovers' romance that jumps straight in with the fun banter and spicy flirting. The chemistry between the two was electrifying and Lara's inner thoughts reflected some of my own that would creep up when starting a new relationship. as she grows and settles into loving herself I found that her journey to self love really reflected moments of my own. I love when the insecurities of a main character can make us reflect on our own thoughts.
I love that this romance continued the same level of engaging content all the way through, it had fun tropes but wasn't over the top and it gave the characters the right situations to grow and develop in a way that feels natural.
Even the title of this book makes me want to do a little happy dance! I knew just from the cover that I would enjoy this book.
Everyone loves a cheesy romance that makes you giggle and talk to your kindle! This is a friends with benefits to lovers' romance that jumps straight in with the fun banter and spicy flirting. The chemistry between the two was electrifying and Lara's inner thoughts reflected some of my own that would creep up when starting a new relationship. as she grows and settles into loving herself I found that her journey to self love really reflected moments of my own. I love when the insecurities of a main character can make us reflect on our own thoughts.
I love that this romance continued the same level of engaging content all the way through, it had fun tropes but wasn't over the top and it gave the characters the right situations to grow and develop in a way that feels natural.
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