Friends, Benefits, and Problems

by Keeran Lee

Fresh out of college, Reece and Nick are chasing their dreams—Nick with his eyes set on going pro in basketball, and Reece balancing his love for the game with a budding modeling career. Basketball has always been their shared passion, but so has something they’ve never dared to admit: each other.

What starts as a casual agreement between friends—just a little fun, nothing serious—quickly spirals into something neither of them can walk away from. Reece has always felt more, and Nick has always known it, even when Reece tried to hide behind his words.

This is the story of two friends who want each other enough to risk crossing the line, even when it scares them. A friends-with-benefits arrangement… except it was never just that.

Kindle Edition

Expected publication June 12, 2026

About the author

Keeran Lee is a writer of M/M romance with high-heat chemistry and love that always has a happy ending.

When not daydreaming about ways to make their character's blush, Keeran enjoys the outdoors, listening to music, and gaming.

Keeran's debut novel "Friends, Benefits, and Problems" is book one in The Coastal Miami Series, which follows a new couple's journey in each book.

Reviews

[Barbara Rachel]

I did finish the book even though I thought about stopping pretty much from the third chapter on.

What I did like:
❤️ the friends with benefits situation — I don’t think I’ve read many of those
❤️ I am not a big basketball fan so that was different for me
❤️ I really liked Reece‘s character and how sweet he was

😬 overall I felt confused by how angry Nick’s character seemed to be
😬 it seemed like Nick’s and Reece’s emotional responses were disproportionate to any given situation
(IMO this is a risk with writing in a third person POV for a romance — it’s difficult to convey underlying motives and thought processes that way)
😬 I came away with the sense that Nick was incredibly toxic for Reece; maybe I missed something but it just seemed that he was mean without any underlying reason or motive to support it. By the end, I really didn’t want Reece to end up with Nick
😬 Random note, I didn’t understand how Nick had a cook/butler person—weren’t they college students?

TBH there were multiple things that I was confused about. But maybe it was just me. Lots of other people seemed to enjoy the book. I kept hoping for some kind of redemption for Nick’s behavior and attitude. I’m giving no stars rather than one or two because it’s entirely possible that I’ve just missed something significant.

Please note, I did receive this advanced copy ahead of publication; I am writing this honest review voluntarily and appreciate the opportunity provided by the author to review this book.

[Arden Willow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who hasn’t been a victim of unrequited love? The story of Reece and Nick is full of nostalgia for the reader whilst leaning into the stereotype that the btm being more emotionally involved. Exceptionally well written.

Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

[HappilyEverReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d describe this one as a fast-burn spice with a slow-burn emotional MM romance. (FYI: they are already hooking up within the first three chapters) Nick and Reece are longtime best friends who shared a kiss years ago during a game of spin the bottle, and Reece never really got over it. He’s always had a thing for Nick, while Nick is the ultimate non-committal guy who just doesn’t do relationships. So naturally… they end up in a friends-with-benefits situation.

This is definitely a very spice-forward story. There’s not a ton of plot or deep character development, but the chemistry? So good. 🔥🔥🔥 Reece is an absolute sweetheart—total marshmallow energy—and it was really nice to see Nick slowly start to soften as things between them progressed. They’re basically acting like boyfriends for months without putting a label on it… until Nick has a bit of a panic moment and pulls away.

Watching Nick come to terms with his feelings during that time and realize that he does want a future with Reece was really sweet. And once he figured it out? He was all in—like, full speed ahead. And he was POSSESSIVE. If you like the micro-trope "YOU'RE MINE". You'll love this.

That said, I do wish we had gotten more backstory for these characters, especially for Nick. I kept wanting to understand why he was so against commitment. What made him that way? We don’t get a ton of insight into either of their pasts, and I definitely felt that missing when it came to character depth. And the sweet side character Kent? The reader is left almost clueless as to this father like figure in Nick's life and what role he plays. I wanted to know more about him- he was obviously a very important person to Nick but the reader is never told why.

Overall though, this was an easy, super entertaining, hot and spicy MM romance that I flew through in one sitting. If you’re in the mood for something heavy on the chemistry and light on angst and plot, you’ll probably have a great time with this one.

[Marie MARIONETTE · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok let me start by saying that’s a smutty smut book.
So yep there is the spice & then the plot around it 😌
It’s a BFF to lovers.
Reece is sweet and wears his heart on his sleeve.
Nick is this grumpy tall guy who is actually certain his doesn’t deserve to be loved so chose distance instead of vulnerability (ok it doesn’t get that deep in the book)

Reece & Nick are friends since childhood. Playing Soin the bottle at another friend’s birthday they end up kissing.
At this moment Reece knew he will fall hard for Nick.
Nick knew if he was touching Reece one more time, he would never be able to let him go but is convinced he doesn’t deserve Reece.

None of them confess those feelings to each other & they kept on being friends up until college.
Reece tried time to time throughout the years to poke the bear and nothing happened until graduation night celebration.
Nick can’t resist and they have their first night together.

The rest of the book is them having sex on the grounds that they are just friends with Benefits. Nick said to Reece, he will never be able to reciprocate his feelings, Reece said he just wanted some fun…

Yep that didn’t go as planned.

My favorite part?
Nick being away for a month and being grumpy and miserable & yet fighting the fact he misses Reece.

Second favorite part?
Nick reaction when he comes back home & how happy he is to see Reece kind of moved in

Third favorite part?
Nick being miserable bc he ended everything & don’t know & how he finally went to get his man.

“Declan looked at him, cocking his brows.
- “You want him back.”
- “No shit,” Nick scoffed. “I’m getting him back. I just don’t know how yet.”

I’m so glad I was able to get a copy of this book as an Arc and been able to meet the sweet Reece & his broody Nick.

Btw I am ready for Alex & Declan story x)

[Naulee · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I love you… I really love you. I just… I want you to be safe and healthy and happy. I want you to succeed and conquer. I want the world to know how amazing you are. I want to be by your side, watching you grow and chase all your dreams.”

ARC Review of Friends, Benefits, and Problems by Keeran Lee

4.5⭐️ 4🌶

Oh my god, when Keeran says high heat, you better buckle up 😏 The dynamic between best friends Nick and Reece was such a fun ride.

Nick is set on making it to the NBA, he’s got the skills, talent and a promising future. He doesn't do relationships. Even with his beautiful, model of a best friend. Nope. Got to tuck any semblance of feelings so far away.

Reece, is the most adorable, flirty, clingy kitten around. And he's been holding back his feelings for his childhood best friend for years, always pining and teasing Nick with a little flirting here and there.

And then one drunken night, the flirting turns into something more. Crossing the line between friends into, well, friends with benefits 😏. Because this can only be a casual thing right?

Keeran's debut will make you sweat, swoon, kick your feet and giggle. 3rd person, dual POV, low angst, possessiveness, and a lot of repressed yearning 😫 Fast burning spice and a slow burn love that's been forever in the making for these two MMC's.

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me tell you something, this entire series is going to be fucking amazing, I already know.

Friends, Benefits and Problems is what happens when a ray of sunshine clingy kitten befriends an emotionally repressed disaster and promptly falls in love with his grumpy ass.

Reece and Nick have been friends since forever ago, and Reece has always had feelings. But Nick is “totally not gay”, so nothing can happen between them, right? WRONG. Nick is Down Bad ™ for Reece, despite the fact that he’s fighting for his life trying to convince himself that they are JUST FRIENDS. But you know what, we stan a delulu king.

Fresh out of college and slowly heading in different directions, now is their chance to act on this unspoken thing between them without it impacting their friendship. And what could possibly go wrong with a good ole friends with benefits arrangement, especially when there’s a “no kissing” rule?

What to expect:
- Childhood friends to lovers
- Model x Basketball player
- Spice right off the bat
- Emotional slowburn
- Cute/silly moments
- Jealous Nick
- Baby girl Reece
- Idiots in love
- Did I mention SPICE?

Huge thank you to the author for the chance to read this book early! Looking forward to the next one in this series.

[Taionna Charity · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an Advanced copy from the author and I Absolutely can’t wait to read more!!!! To start in the first few chapters it’s Heated and Sexy and remains that way throughout the whole book!!! Which we all can appreciate! I absolutely adore REECE’S character. He was so sweet yet forward with his sexual attraction to nick.Which I think made the book a bit fast paced, I would have liked to see Nick work for Reece’s’ love harder and earn it after the heartbreak for the plot. But I really enjoyed the friends with benefits aspect leading to genuine love. Kent’s character felt very random and oddly placed at first but he grew on me. I think if we got a bit more insight into Nick’s childhood as to why he only had Kent as family he wouldn’t feel so randomly placed when introduced but his relationship with Reece was very adorable and I liked reading their moments. Declan and Alex were great friends I really enjoyed those characters I’m excited for book 2 with their stories. I would also LOVEEEE a story for IVORY & DRAVEN their little heated cute interactions has me curious!!! Overall PRETTY GOOD MM read I was glued to the book!

[Natasha Holmes · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok this book wasn't necessary bad it just wasn't for me.
It's full of angry/needy men and lots of sex. There's no backstory to the characters so I felt like I never really got to know them and there is not alot of substance to it either, it's literally as the title says friends with benefits, not alot else really happens.
It's also written in the third person which I sometimes have difficulty enjoying. sometimes it was just hard to keep up with as it just seemed to jump from one sentence to something completely different that I thought I had missed something, and how the hell do you go from not wanting a relationship to proposing? Makes absolutely no sense to me, not to mention how quickly Reece forgave "Nicky" for breaking his heart.
I would like to know why Nick is so angry all the time though, which is another reason I would've liked more of a backstory as there must be a reason behind it.
If you you are looking for a low angst, barely any storyline, lots of sex then this is for you.
By the end of it I hated the name 'nicky' .

[Holden Gentry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from author.
I was very grateful to be chosen as an ARC reader for Keeran Lee’s debut novel.
What to expect:
•Best friends to lovers
•Friends with benefits
•Mutual pining
•LOTS OF SPICE
•Emotional slow burn
The book overall wasn’t bad. It did take me a little while to actually get into it. The first half felt very repetitive, there wasn’t much happening as far as plot progression, just a lot of smut. Believe me, I LOVE a smutty MM romance, but I felt very disconnected from the characters as there wasn’t much of a backstory on them. The second half of the story is where I felt more connected to them as the plot started progressing. This story does have a third-act breakup, but does have an HEA! I was honestly a little pissed off that Nick hurt my boy Reece like that, but he redeemed himself in the best way! Overall the book was solid, I do wish that there was a little more background on the characters, but I digress. I will be reading the next story that involves 2 of the characters that played a role in this book.

[Matt Sutera · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 stars rounded up. I thank the author graciously for sending me their novel for an honest review. This book was unfortunately not for me. I found there to be very minimal plot, which may be fine with other readers, but it was difficult for me and did not engage me. I wanted to know more about the characters on a deeper level, but the smut absolutely overwhelmed the novel. The third act had some glimmers of promise for me as some angst was introduced, but it felt slapdash and then too quickly resolved. The characters themselves just did not gel with me - with Nick coming off as too obnoxiously and unnecessarily protective and Reece being absolutely saccharine with sweetness. I unfortunately found myself cringing. Should note as well that while basketball and modeling are parts of each of these characters lives, they are not delved into much at all. Hate to not have many positive things to say, but I once again appreciated the opportunity the author has given me in reviewing.

[Claire Carruthers · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 (rounded up to 4)
🌶🌶🌶🌶

Boy meets boy. Friendship made. 7 minutes in a closet. Attraction burns.

A few years later and Nick and Reece are burning for one another, they become more than just friends but Nick doesn't believe they can be more.
I thoroughly enjoyed this take on a MM college to adult romance and maaaan was the spice turned up from the very start!
The Author Keeran Lee's debut is a blend of yearning, tension and copious amounts of sizzle 🥵.
The only piece of the book i didnt like was that the longer these men were together the more Reece became dependent on Nick being around and that he couldn't function for example when they were apart due to a training camp. I felt that was a bit too much for the storyline.
But yeah if you want a new MM book with smut right from the start and throughout- Friends, Benefits And Problems will serve you well.
Thank you so much for the opportunity to advance read this novel in return for a review.

[Jam Morningstar · Rating 5 out of 5]

okayyy i loved it! nearly immediate spice, and the yearning. omg. reece, that sweet baby 🥹 weve all been there when we want someone any way we can have them and he was the epitome of that. he was so sweet and tried so hard, he made me tear up more than once. and nick and his jealousy/possessiveness?! yessssss. we knew the whole book you loved this man, nick 😅 i loved it, absolute banger tbh and i cant wait to read alex and declans story! im glad i had the opportunity to read an advanced copy, i read it so fast! i really enjoyed it, thank you for this story!

[KaRon Spriggs-bethea · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many emotions came up while reading this one. It was a bit of a slow burn, with the characters navigating some complex and sometimes confusing feelings. I really appreciated the connections between the different characters. I found myself wanting it to end so I could see how everything played out, but at the same time, I didn’t want it to end because I loved watching the relationship and emotional growth between Nick and Reece unfold.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Michael Raasch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Getting to read this as an ARC, learning about that is was a friends to lovers trope, I was all excited for it. And let me just say, Reece and Nick are just the perfect couple! Even with Nick having some emotional baggage, the man was POSSESSIVE over Reece and I fucking lived for it. And the nickname?!?! *swoon*

At first, reading in third person really throws me a loop but once I got into the story, I literally read this in a day. The spice, immaculate and hot as fuck too. Overall, I really enjoyed this story and excited to read about the next couple!!

[Andrea Sheppard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, I did like this book and thought it was cute. It was frustrating when Nick pushed away since he had an amazing situation right in front of him. Luckily he came to his senses. I’ve read friends to lovers before yet not quite like this where they’re actively in a benefits situation. Usually they tiptoe around anything remotely close to a relationship for a good majority of the book. So that take on the trope was certainly refreshing.

[Esmé K · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was an easy nice read, cozy and light perfect for an evening and you can read it in one go.
What I did mis sometimes in the book was the deeper layer in their relationship, the smut was perfect in the book and I loved Reece's character he was just a loving goofball during the story and far gone for Nick. During the book I was praying for Nick to get his act together and realize how much Reece meant to him. In the end I would rate the book 3,8 stars!

[Olivia]

DNF at 29%

Sadly, I didn’t vibe with this. The characters are just too horny and out of the 6 chapters I read, there were sexual encounters in 5 of them and not much development aside from that. There wasn’t any chemistry between the characters and it was very much showing not telling.

Thanks to the author for the advanced reading copy!

[Savannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

First and foremost, I want to say thank you for the ARC opportunity.
.
.
.
It's a bit disheartening to say, but I was deeply let down by this book. I really didn't like Nick's character for a myriad of reasons.

There were also smaller things, like Kenny (where did he come from, a lack of elaboration on who he is to Nick, and how the third-act breakup and reconciliation unfolded.

Overall, I am on the fence as to whether I give book two a read.

[Mikayla Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

ARC Review

Thank you Keeran for sending me an advance copy of this book. Unfortunately this book is not for me. There was very minimal plot and no backstory to the characters. I also found some parts confusing as it would jump from one thing to another and I felt like was missing something.

Rating:⭐️⭐️

[Caitlyn Thorp]

I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review and unfortunately I will be DNFing it at page 109/245, 45% of the way through. Thank you for the opportunity to read this early, but I just can’t force myself to finish something I’m not enjoying and/or actively disliking.

[Kristen]

ARC copy DNF at 4% because wtf was that. Maybe I should’ve pushed through and tried to give it a fair chance, but when a book pmo that early on I can’t be bothered to spend any more time on it. Thank you for the opportunity, but it’s not for me.

[Annee Thomas]

DNF at 10%. Not a fan of the writing style. I can usually look past third person POV, but the writing needs to be decent.

Just the first couple chapters were very repetitive and the characters seem a bit juvenile.

[Leigha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book follows Reece and Nick childhood best friends turned to friends with benefits. Both fighting their feelings for each other but don’t talk about what the future will look like. Very spice driven and not much plot going on except to fill the time between the spicy scenes.

[Jeremiah Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading Nick and Reece’s story! I couldn’t put it down. I highly recommend checking it out if you like a sports romance with lots of spice!

[Dhatshina]

Too much lust. It’s like they are banging every other page. Not for me .

[Lindsay Serio · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy

This book I thought was a very cute and sweet quicker read. I loved the characters and the spice 🌶️🌶️!