What do you think?
Rate this book
Easton Grammar #2
The Enemy Benefit
JASPER
It’s my final year of high school, I’m school captain and I’m getting perfect grades. My only issue is my tiny little sex problem, but let’s not think about that.
Then my grandfather goes officially senile and decides to take a guy named Kieran, a walking red flag complete with scars on his knuckles and intense dark eyes. I hate him on sight.
KIERAN
If being sent away from home and forced to attend a posh school wasn’t bad enough, I have to deal with the biggest brat I’ve ever met. Jasper’s stuck-up rich boy who takes every opportunity to insult me, and because I’m living with his grandfather, I can’t escape him.
If only there was a way to shut him up…
The Enemy Benefit is a New Adult M/M Romance with a HEA featuring high school students. This book is a slow burn romance that includes enemies-to-lovers and enemies-with-benefits tropes.
It’s my final year of high school, I’m school captain and I’m getting perfect grades. My only issue is my tiny little sex problem, but let’s not think about that.
Then my grandfather goes officially senile and decides to take a guy named Kieran, a walking red flag complete with scars on his knuckles and intense dark eyes. I hate him on sight.
KIERAN
If being sent away from home and forced to attend a posh school wasn’t bad enough, I have to deal with the biggest brat I’ve ever met. Jasper’s stuck-up rich boy who takes every opportunity to insult me, and because I’m living with his grandfather, I can’t escape him.
If only there was a way to shut him up…
The Enemy Benefit is a New Adult M/M Romance with a HEA featuring high school students. This book is a slow burn romance that includes enemies-to-lovers and enemies-with-benefits tropes.
252 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 30, 2021
184 people are currently reading
668 people want to read
About the author
Milana Spencer
13 books169 followersMilana Spencer writes steamy slow burn MM romance.
She's in her early twenties and has an existential crisis every other week. She lives in Australia and loves matcha lattes, cats and to-do lists.
Her favourite tropes include oblivious characters, friends to lovers, enemies to lovers and forced proximity.
Sign up to her email list via her website for latest updates about new books and giveaways!
Contact her via her website!
She's in her early twenties and has an existential crisis every other week. She lives in Australia and loves matcha lattes, cats and to-do lists.
Her favourite tropes include oblivious characters, friends to lovers, enemies to lovers and forced proximity.
Sign up to her email list via her website for latest updates about new books and giveaways!
Contact her via her website!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
December 11, 2021
Jasper @ Kieran for being poor and having a C average in school:
January 6, 2024
✰ 3.25 stars ✰
“Part of the reason I’m hesitant to sleep with Jasper is because it feels like a surrender. Like I’m forgiving him for everything he’s done and instead rewarding him with pleasure. I’m stripping myself down to my most vulnerable state — naked and wanting him — for him.
But he’s doing the same thing. He was the one to say please. He was the one to suggest the arrangement. He’s the one asking for it now.”
I can't remember the last time I enjoyed reading. No, don't misunderstand. I enjoy reading - I love reading!! I'm the girl who made a personal oath to herself back in 8th grade that before I graduated high school, I would have read every book in the library's Young Adults section. Didn't quite reach that goal, but a girl could dream, right? 😊 That's how crazy I am - that's how much books mean to me. But, it's been awhile since I've actually just found the simple pleasure of getting a hearty dosage of laughs from a story. One that I don't expect to wow me with its lyrical prose or hurt my heart with its emotional angst - just provide me with a solid hour or so of amusement. And surprising everyone, including myself, The Enemy Benefit gave me exactly that. 🥰🥰
“His eyes flit over me and the implication is clear. Who’d want to be friends with me?
“The point is, with the shit you pulled yesterday, I don’t want to be associated with you.”
I stare at him, and this time, when I pull away, he lets me go. “Fine. Good.” I gather my books. “I wouldn’t want to be associated with someone like you anyway.”
After a bit of a slow start, Jasper and Kieran's dynamic starts to pick up the heat. After an even rockier start where either of them don't want to have anything to do with each other - they're unfortunately stuck with each other. It's not so much the enemies to lovers trope, rather two characters' reluctance to empathize with one another, over childish petty arguments to get under their skin - angry at how vastly different they are - academic-wise and social status-wise. 😮💨 'His muscles are nicer than mine. I add that to my list of reasons I hate him. I wish he’d go away. I wish he never came to Easton.' See, petty!? 😆 But, it works. I mean, Jasper's rich grandfather taking in someone of less calibre like Kieran, simply because he knew his grandfather? Allowing him to stay at his home and study at his school!
Of course, it would annoy him! 😤 It doesn't help that he's ridiculously attractive - with intimidating muscles and thick brown hair and intense dark eyes hot. The same way people find villains in movies hot. Fine, fine, fine.' 🤭 And after a rather impromptu confrontation between the gets too hot and heavy and horny for either of them - Jasper has the ingenious idea that if there was someone who could help him out with his little problem - would it hurt to suggest a friends with benefits proposition to Kieran - even though up front - to everyone else - he publicly still hates him? 😯
I got such a laugh out of their constant bickering and bantering - as ridiculously childish as their fights and jabs were - grown-ass men being so annoyingly abrasive and impulsive with each other, it was pretty cute! 😄 It was cute and the way they fell into bed with each other was even more ridiculous, but it worked! It worked, and it was hot and they got off and then Jasper wanted more - because even though Kieran was a guy, he didn't mind. It never bothered him, and I liked how it wasn't an issue for either of them. To everyone else - to themselves - getting off together in private was of mutual beneficial interest because there were no feelings involved. *scoff* Yeah, right. But, y'know, I liked it. Even with the constant satisfying meet-ups, they still adamantly refused that it was going to mean something to either of them. 🥺
“Just so you know,” I say, “this doesn’t mean we’re friends, and this doesn’t mean I forgive you. It’s just sex.”
Jasper’s expression shifts, and he’s back to the Jasper I know. Superior and cold and aloof. “I wouldn’t expect anything less,” he says.”
But, then it started, too - feelings and revealing personal intimate thoughts got involved, and I was here for it.🤌🏻🤌🏻 Jasper learning more about Kieran's past, Kieran finally seeing why Jasper is so tightly wound the way he is. 'Jasper’s life isn’t as perfect as I thought. I wish it was. It’d make it easier to hate him, and hating him is safer.' I loved that Kieran didn't immediately accept his terms - so very straight-forward about their arrangement, adamant that nothing would change between them. And yet, the casual ways in which Jasper would want Kieran to stay longer and not leave so soon - everything was really sweet and came to light in a very nice way - very believable and comforting. 🤍
What surprised me even more is how Jasper became more empathetic because of Kieran - there was actual personal growth shown. 🥺 He was so incorrect in judging him the first time they met, that he admitted to the errors of his ways. ' I can’t be in love with him. He’d never love me back, not when we’re not even friends. Not when I’m an awful person.' It was so rewarding to see how he stood up for him, how he made him realize that he wasn't ashamed of him and he was sorry that he ever made Kieran feel that way. 😥
And honestly, once they were together - they really were cute together! And so hot! The kisses, the make-out sessions, they were not exactly feral - but they definitely lit a flame in me! ❤️🔥❤️🔥 Not too detailed or spicy, just enough to quench the thirst! It wasn't just heat, they were communicating and opening up and caring about each other's well-being in ways that just warmed my heart. After the party fight, wearing the hoodie, the gentleness and tenderness that they started to learn by being with each other - being so vulnerable and open with one another. How they start to pick up on the little things about each other - subtle nuances that if you'd blink you'd miss it. 🤌🏻🤌🏻
“Two fully grown guys shouldn’t be sleeping on a single bed. But I don’t care. I’d happily sleep squished like this, if it meant I could be close to him.”
I adored chapter 21 - the soft caressing, the tenderness of them holding one another and just talking - the forehead kiss! 🫠It was like waiting for that proverbial arrow to hit them in the heart; it was so nicely done that you could tell this was the moment when the shift in their relationship was about to happen. I really liked how it played out. Jasper was an absolute jerk to Kieran from the start and sometimes, throughout, with really no apparent reason, either. ' He looks angelic, with long lashes, bright green eyes and fine features, but in reality, he’s an asshole.' But, Kieran never let it get under his skin or forget who he was or where he came from. He was happy the way he was, and I think that was something that made their relationship work out even better! He was so much more than just the poor bad boy veneer that everyone seemed to acquaint him with - and the scene where he trusted Jasper with his truths was so very sweet. 🥹🥹
He may have that chip on his shoulder of being the odd ball out from all the rich snobs at the school, but he was so kind and warm; as he and Jasper got closer, he was so attentive, so considerate about his feelings, so very patient with Jasper's over-hyped enthusiasm for being inexperienced in their sexual activities. 💕 'It’s a blessing he has such an appalling personality, because otherwise I would be scarily defenceless against him.' He may have a belligerent nature, but when he reveals the reasons behind why he always ends up with the short end of the stick, you know his heart is always in the right place - he cares so much and that's usually his downfall. And it makes Jasper love him even more for that. ❤️🩹❤️🩹
“Jasper. Kieran.” It’s Senior, looking more mad than I’ve ever seen him look in my life. “Are you eighteen or eight-year-olds?”
I cackled so hard! 🤣🤣 Honestly, the ski trip was the moment everything changed, but this line stole the show! 👌🏻 Senior wins grandfather of the year - I loved his easy laid-back attitude, money at the tip of his fingers, graciously opening his heart and home to Kieran, tolerating his grandson's flippant attitude. He wasn't afraid to call them out on their petulant behavior, and still be so kind-hearted and loving to the two of them. Just loved their entire dynamic with him and especially loved that they came to ask him for their blessing. 🫶🏻🫶🏻
And true to the series name, Easton Grammar definitely does play its part in the story, and in a way that worked into their dynamic. School politics and studies and student dynamics are woven in very well that I could totally picture this as an elite private school in Australia. I especially liked that the female characters were likeable; aside from Jasper eyeing the girl in the beginning, because he was horny as hell, Kieran's friendship with them was very sweet and cute - like a couple of fangirls who were actually decent nice classmates! And this book works as a stand-alone! Haha, I didn't even have to read the first book to figure out what had happened before - enough detail was spared to give you just the right amount of insight to know what you're missing out on! How lucky am I! 😂
“I think neither of us want to argue, especially over something petty. We’ve already fought enough to last a lifetime.”
See, now that's growth! 🤭😆
It could have, though, seriously benefited with a good editor's touch tweaking it up a bit. There were some rather significant spelling mistakes, along with some grammatical errors and some glaring typos inconsistencies that could have made it a much more pleasant read if those could have been taken care of beforehand. 😔 For if you're ever in the mood for a light palette cleanser, one that will tickle your funny bone and not take itself too seriously, with a friends to benefit proposition that takes its time to become a relationship with true feelings and emotional growth, then this is the book for you. 🥰
And if nothing else - it reminded me that despite how my heart tends to gravitate to angsty and emotionally driven reads, I still have it in me to find the simple joy from a good ole fun and light-hearted amusing read. 😊
“Part of the reason I’m hesitant to sleep with Jasper is because it feels like a surrender. Like I’m forgiving him for everything he’s done and instead rewarding him with pleasure. I’m stripping myself down to my most vulnerable state — naked and wanting him — for him.
But he’s doing the same thing. He was the one to say please. He was the one to suggest the arrangement. He’s the one asking for it now.”
I can't remember the last time I enjoyed reading. No, don't misunderstand. I enjoy reading - I love reading!! I'm the girl who made a personal oath to herself back in 8th grade that before I graduated high school, I would have read every book in the library's Young Adults section. Didn't quite reach that goal, but a girl could dream, right? 😊 That's how crazy I am - that's how much books mean to me. But, it's been awhile since I've actually just found the simple pleasure of getting a hearty dosage of laughs from a story. One that I don't expect to wow me with its lyrical prose or hurt my heart with its emotional angst - just provide me with a solid hour or so of amusement. And surprising everyone, including myself, The Enemy Benefit gave me exactly that. 🥰🥰
“His eyes flit over me and the implication is clear. Who’d want to be friends with me?
“The point is, with the shit you pulled yesterday, I don’t want to be associated with you.”
I stare at him, and this time, when I pull away, he lets me go. “Fine. Good.” I gather my books. “I wouldn’t want to be associated with someone like you anyway.”
After a bit of a slow start, Jasper and Kieran's dynamic starts to pick up the heat. After an even rockier start where either of them don't want to have anything to do with each other - they're unfortunately stuck with each other. It's not so much the enemies to lovers trope, rather two characters' reluctance to empathize with one another, over childish petty arguments to get under their skin - angry at how vastly different they are - academic-wise and social status-wise. 😮💨 'His muscles are nicer than mine. I add that to my list of reasons I hate him. I wish he’d go away. I wish he never came to Easton.' See, petty!? 😆 But, it works. I mean, Jasper's rich grandfather taking in someone of less calibre like Kieran, simply because he knew his grandfather? Allowing him to stay at his home and study at his school!
Of course, it would annoy him! 😤 It doesn't help that he's ridiculously attractive - with intimidating muscles and thick brown hair and intense dark eyes hot. The same way people find villains in movies hot. Fine, fine, fine.' 🤭 And after a rather impromptu confrontation between the gets too hot and heavy and horny for either of them - Jasper has the ingenious idea that if there was someone who could help him out with his little problem - would it hurt to suggest a friends with benefits proposition to Kieran - even though up front - to everyone else - he publicly still hates him? 😯
I got such a laugh out of their constant bickering and bantering - as ridiculously childish as their fights and jabs were - grown-ass men being so annoyingly abrasive and impulsive with each other, it was pretty cute! 😄 It was cute and the way they fell into bed with each other was even more ridiculous, but it worked! It worked, and it was hot and they got off and then Jasper wanted more - because even though Kieran was a guy, he didn't mind. It never bothered him, and I liked how it wasn't an issue for either of them. To everyone else - to themselves - getting off together in private was of mutual beneficial interest because there were no feelings involved. *scoff* Yeah, right. But, y'know, I liked it. Even with the constant satisfying meet-ups, they still adamantly refused that it was going to mean something to either of them. 🥺
“Just so you know,” I say, “this doesn’t mean we’re friends, and this doesn’t mean I forgive you. It’s just sex.”
Jasper’s expression shifts, and he’s back to the Jasper I know. Superior and cold and aloof. “I wouldn’t expect anything less,” he says.”
But, then it started, too - feelings and revealing personal intimate thoughts got involved, and I was here for it.🤌🏻🤌🏻 Jasper learning more about Kieran's past, Kieran finally seeing why Jasper is so tightly wound the way he is. 'Jasper’s life isn’t as perfect as I thought. I wish it was. It’d make it easier to hate him, and hating him is safer.' I loved that Kieran didn't immediately accept his terms - so very straight-forward about their arrangement, adamant that nothing would change between them. And yet, the casual ways in which Jasper would want Kieran to stay longer and not leave so soon - everything was really sweet and came to light in a very nice way - very believable and comforting. 🤍
What surprised me even more is how Jasper became more empathetic because of Kieran - there was actual personal growth shown. 🥺 He was so incorrect in judging him the first time they met, that he admitted to the errors of his ways. ' I can’t be in love with him. He’d never love me back, not when we’re not even friends. Not when I’m an awful person.' It was so rewarding to see how he stood up for him, how he made him realize that he wasn't ashamed of him and he was sorry that he ever made Kieran feel that way. 😥
And honestly, once they were together - they really were cute together! And so hot! The kisses, the make-out sessions, they were not exactly feral - but they definitely lit a flame in me! ❤️🔥❤️🔥 Not too detailed or spicy, just enough to quench the thirst! It wasn't just heat, they were communicating and opening up and caring about each other's well-being in ways that just warmed my heart. After the party fight, wearing the hoodie, the gentleness and tenderness that they started to learn by being with each other - being so vulnerable and open with one another. How they start to pick up on the little things about each other - subtle nuances that if you'd blink you'd miss it. 🤌🏻🤌🏻
“Two fully grown guys shouldn’t be sleeping on a single bed. But I don’t care. I’d happily sleep squished like this, if it meant I could be close to him.”
I adored chapter 21 - the soft caressing, the tenderness of them holding one another and just talking - the forehead kiss! 🫠It was like waiting for that proverbial arrow to hit them in the heart; it was so nicely done that you could tell this was the moment when the shift in their relationship was about to happen. I really liked how it played out. Jasper was an absolute jerk to Kieran from the start and sometimes, throughout, with really no apparent reason, either. ' He looks angelic, with long lashes, bright green eyes and fine features, but in reality, he’s an asshole.' But, Kieran never let it get under his skin or forget who he was or where he came from. He was happy the way he was, and I think that was something that made their relationship work out even better! He was so much more than just the poor bad boy veneer that everyone seemed to acquaint him with - and the scene where he trusted Jasper with his truths was so very sweet. 🥹🥹
He may have that chip on his shoulder of being the odd ball out from all the rich snobs at the school, but he was so kind and warm; as he and Jasper got closer, he was so attentive, so considerate about his feelings, so very patient with Jasper's over-hyped enthusiasm for being inexperienced in their sexual activities. 💕 'It’s a blessing he has such an appalling personality, because otherwise I would be scarily defenceless against him.' He may have a belligerent nature, but when he reveals the reasons behind why he always ends up with the short end of the stick, you know his heart is always in the right place - he cares so much and that's usually his downfall. And it makes Jasper love him even more for that. ❤️🩹❤️🩹
“Jasper. Kieran.” It’s Senior, looking more mad than I’ve ever seen him look in my life. “Are you eighteen or eight-year-olds?”
I cackled so hard! 🤣🤣 Honestly, the ski trip was the moment everything changed, but this line stole the show! 👌🏻 Senior wins grandfather of the year - I loved his easy laid-back attitude, money at the tip of his fingers, graciously opening his heart and home to Kieran, tolerating his grandson's flippant attitude. He wasn't afraid to call them out on their petulant behavior, and still be so kind-hearted and loving to the two of them. Just loved their entire dynamic with him and especially loved that they came to ask him for their blessing. 🫶🏻🫶🏻
And true to the series name, Easton Grammar definitely does play its part in the story, and in a way that worked into their dynamic. School politics and studies and student dynamics are woven in very well that I could totally picture this as an elite private school in Australia. I especially liked that the female characters were likeable; aside from Jasper eyeing the girl in the beginning, because he was horny as hell, Kieran's friendship with them was very sweet and cute - like a couple of fangirls who were actually decent nice classmates! And this book works as a stand-alone! Haha, I didn't even have to read the first book to figure out what had happened before - enough detail was spared to give you just the right amount of insight to know what you're missing out on! How lucky am I! 😂
“I think neither of us want to argue, especially over something petty. We’ve already fought enough to last a lifetime.”
See, now that's growth! 🤭😆
It could have, though, seriously benefited with a good editor's touch tweaking it up a bit. There were some rather significant spelling mistakes, along with some grammatical errors and some glaring typos inconsistencies that could have made it a much more pleasant read if those could have been taken care of beforehand. 😔 For if you're ever in the mood for a light palette cleanser, one that will tickle your funny bone and not take itself too seriously, with a friends to benefit proposition that takes its time to become a relationship with true feelings and emotional growth, then this is the book for you. 🥰
And if nothing else - it reminded me that despite how my heart tends to gravitate to angsty and emotionally driven reads, I still have it in me to find the simple joy from a good ole fun and light-hearted amusing read. 😊
June 29, 2022
I wish I could have read this in one sitting if I had the time.
This has everything I like:
The natural progression from enemies to lovers done so well
Kind of bad boy(poor) and preppy boy (rich)
Prep school setting
Ski resort vacation - sharing a room
Aussie slang
Necktie pulling 😁
Secret hookups
Negatives - it was very slow to start, up to about the 30% mark and there was often words missing or the wrong word used that a good editing could fix.
Side note: I can never understand how the Australian school system works so if anyone can enlighten me on that. Terms, seasons, grades levels, holidays, etc.
Great second book in a series. This one more steamy than the first book.
This has everything I like:
The natural progression from enemies to lovers done so well
Kind of bad boy(poor) and preppy boy (rich)
Prep school setting
Ski resort vacation - sharing a room
Aussie slang
Necktie pulling 😁
Secret hookups
Negatives - it was very slow to start, up to about the 30% mark and there was often words missing or the wrong word used that a good editing could fix.
Side note: I can never understand how the Australian school system works so if anyone can enlighten me on that. Terms, seasons, grades levels, holidays, etc.
Great second book in a series. This one more steamy than the first book.
December 27, 2021
*** 2.5 stars ***
November 9, 2022
3.5 stars
⭐🤩
After reading A Tent for Two earlier this month, I wanted to read more of Milana Spencer, for no other particular reason than the very fact of a fucking inspiration her biography is. Milana is bloody university student and she writes AND PUBLISHES books! No fuckin way.
Just HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE??
What an inspiration. She got me to write after I've been in a rut for almost 2 years.
And also, her covers are so. fuckin. PRETTY!!
anyways, onto the actual book.
ha ha ha ha.
I liked this.
I mean, it was a: I'm fuckin exasperated by these characters and I also can't stop reading it.
Why was I exasperated? Jasper HIT wayyyyyy to close to home because he is literally the embodiment of me. No wonder I don't have friends 💀
Also, it is stated that this book is a slowburn and y'all- AT LEAST there's smut or else I would've dnfed this book because literally nothing happened until the last 80% of this book.
Anddddd. Man I really feel bad for saying this, but this book just.... Didn't have that SPICE of being a true enemies to lovers y'know? And I'm not talking spice like smut, I mean spice like: TENSION. I just didn't feel it. And that's LAUGHABLE coming from ME because you won't here me and enemies to lovers in the same sentence.
Anyways, this was a okayish read. I'll pretty much read all of Milana's books because I have way too much respect for who they are as an author and a student.
After reading A Tent for Two earlier this month, I wanted to read more of Milana Spencer, for no other particular reason than the very fact of a fucking inspiration her biography is. Milana is bloody university student and she writes AND PUBLISHES books! No fuckin way.
Just HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE??
What an inspiration. She got me to write after I've been in a rut for almost 2 years.
And also, her covers are so. fuckin. PRETTY!!
anyways, onto the actual book.
ha ha ha ha.
I liked this.
I mean, it was a: I'm fuckin exasperated by these characters and I also can't stop reading it.
Why was I exasperated? Jasper HIT wayyyyyy to close to home because he is literally the embodiment of me. No wonder I don't have friends 💀
Also, it is stated that this book is a slowburn and y'all- AT LEAST there's smut or else I would've dnfed this book because literally nothing happened until the last 80% of this book.
Anddddd. Man I really feel bad for saying this, but this book just.... Didn't have that SPICE of being a true enemies to lovers y'know? And I'm not talking spice like smut, I mean spice like: TENSION. I just didn't feel it. And that's LAUGHABLE coming from ME because you won't here me and enemies to lovers in the same sentence.
Anyways, this was a okayish read. I'll pretty much read all of Milana's books because I have way too much respect for who they are as an author and a student.
October 2, 2024
I think this was just ok, there’s not really much angst, just a lot of entitlement and high school drama. Jasper is pretty obnoxious for the majority of the book but alas, he redeems himself a bit.
November 30, 2021
This book had me itching to finish it in one sitting. I absolutely adored the characters, who seemed real and thoughtfully fleshed out. It starts a bit slow, but it picks up a couple chapters in. It hooked me very soon into the story. It's enemies to lovers at it's best! The romance itself was slow burning. However, it was steamy throughout. For me, it had just the right amount of heat, and the plot was the main dish.
October 18, 2023
this was just very high school and ik ik it’s a book about high schoolers so what did i expect lmao😅…..the writing definitely felt simplified and it was slow going until the ski resort…..i don’t mind the characters acting like high schoolers bc hello they are, but jasper kinda sucked and honestly i think kieran let him get away with too much….and i wasn’t feeling it when they said they loved each other…..like okay i guess ??…….it just wasn’t compelling enough for me to really get invested and root for these two…..very mid for me, but i can see how other people might have enjoyed this.
December 5, 2021
I have been anticipating this one. Another true enemies to lovers by this author in the same series.
Just like the first book there are some minor editing issues that I noticed right away. It didn’t take away from the story one bit but it’s there.
I really enjoy the way this author writes. The Aussie slang which I tend to avoid books … (I’m sorry to my Aussie friends but I just do!) I didn’t find it overwhelming here.
Jasper is an 18 year in grade 12. He’s smart and popular but if you ask you classmates he can come across as a bit of an asshole who is too serious and focused on studying. He also has a sex problem…
Kieran has been sent to live with Jasper’s Grandfather for the end of his school term because he was expelled by his last school. A public school in Sydney and sent to the wealthy private school that Jasper attends.
The two hate each other right off the bat. Jasper instantly judging this strange boy who’s in his grandfather’s house.
Just like in the first book they have a slow burn enemies to eventually lovers. I liked the progression of their relationship.
Unlike the the other book this one is a bit steamer with actual on page sex and hook up’s and it made me sad we didn’t get that from the first couple.
Things did seem to tie up a bit too neatly in the end but it was a very satisfying story one that I could possibly reread again and I’m absolutely looking forward to the third book! 😏
Just like the first book there are some minor editing issues that I noticed right away. It didn’t take away from the story one bit but it’s there.
I really enjoy the way this author writes. The Aussie slang which I tend to avoid books … (I’m sorry to my Aussie friends but I just do!) I didn’t find it overwhelming here.
Jasper is an 18 year in grade 12. He’s smart and popular but if you ask you classmates he can come across as a bit of an asshole who is too serious and focused on studying. He also has a sex problem…
Kieran has been sent to live with Jasper’s Grandfather for the end of his school term because he was expelled by his last school. A public school in Sydney and sent to the wealthy private school that Jasper attends.
The two hate each other right off the bat. Jasper instantly judging this strange boy who’s in his grandfather’s house.
Just like in the first book they have a slow burn enemies to eventually lovers. I liked the progression of their relationship.
Unlike the the other book this one is a bit steamer with actual on page sex and hook up’s and it made me sad we didn’t get that from the first couple.
Things did seem to tie up a bit too neatly in the end but it was a very satisfying story one that I could possibly reread again and I’m absolutely looking forward to the third book! 😏
August 7, 2025
I really enjoyed this one. Enemies to lovers is my favorite trope, and the author does a good job here establishing the reason they dislike each other, and the move towards lovers is gradual and makes sense. Their characterizations are great, also, as is the supporting cast.
Still need a good editor, though!
Still need a good editor, though!
December 1, 2021
Desde que leí el primer libro, estaba muy emocionada esperando este; sin embargo, en algunas partes, me decepcionó, no fue lo que esperaba. Empezó muy bien, me gustaba como estaba yendo la historia y creí que mi personaje favorito sería Kieran pero todo el tema de Michael y su falta de evolución como personaje, hicieron que me desagradaba y el que salvó la historia fue Jasper, su desarrollo y el como se hizo mejor persona y más empático con los demás, me encantó.
No me gustó que la mayoría del tiempo era Jasper el que tomaba el primer paso y el que iniciaba casi todo, haciendo a mi parecer que Kieran no hacía el mismo esfuerzo; cuando llegó la escena del "te amo" la sentí demasiado plana y simple, principalmente de parte de Kieran porque Jasper ya había aceptado así mismo que estaba enamorado pero Kieran no le gustaba pensar en los sentimientos que tenía hacia Jasper, por lo que era difícil como lector saber en qué momento se enamoró y lo empezó a ver con otros ojos.
En fin, me gustó mucho el personaje de Jasper, algunas escenas se me hicieron tiernas entre los protagonistas y no se si de tantas expectativas que tenía, perdí la emoción al leer la historia pero en general, fue una historia interesante.
PD: Estoy muy emocionada por la historia del tercer libro ya que friends to lovers es de mis tramas favoritas 💙.
No me gustó que la mayoría del tiempo era Jasper el que tomaba el primer paso y el que iniciaba casi todo, haciendo a mi parecer que Kieran no hacía el mismo esfuerzo; cuando llegó la escena del "te amo" la sentí demasiado plana y simple, principalmente de parte de Kieran porque Jasper ya había aceptado así mismo que estaba enamorado pero Kieran no le gustaba pensar en los sentimientos que tenía hacia Jasper, por lo que era difícil como lector saber en qué momento se enamoró y lo empezó a ver con otros ojos.
En fin, me gustó mucho el personaje de Jasper, algunas escenas se me hicieron tiernas entre los protagonistas y no se si de tantas expectativas que tenía, perdí la emoción al leer la historia pero en general, fue una historia interesante.
PD: Estoy muy emocionada por la historia del tercer libro ya que friends to lovers es de mis tramas favoritas 💙.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 4, 2022
This wasn't necessarily bad but it was a bit empty...
Something seemed sort of missing the entire time
In general I love a socially awkward MC that we have in Jasper and a bisexual emotionally protecting himself from getting hurt again second MC but something was stilted
I normally like enemies to lovers because they're just so passion filled but that was missing here although at the same time I liked that they went slowly
yep you get the gist
Something seemed sort of missing the entire time
In general I love a socially awkward MC that we have in Jasper and a bisexual emotionally protecting himself from getting hurt again second MC but something was stilted
I normally like enemies to lovers because they're just so passion filled but that was missing here although at the same time I liked that they went slowly
yep you get the gist
April 12, 2024
This was cute. I like the enemies/hate to love trope, so I did enjoy that part of the story.it was cute overall and I like reading stories when it’s not a big deal when they find out they're attracted to someone of the same gender.
I also like seeing the characters from the first book. I remember enjoying that story a lot.
I also like seeing the characters from the first book. I remember enjoying that story a lot.
December 11, 2021
Waaaaay better than the first book in this series. Enemies-to-lovers vibes in a preppy private school, lots of tension, lots of steam. It was predictable but really enjoyable.
December 6, 2021
4.7 (灬º‿º灬)♡
It was simple n good plot
Really steamy
A lot funnny
I felt hurt somewhere alot
But overall it was really lovely
It was simple n good plot
Really steamy
A lot funnny
I felt hurt somewhere alot
But overall it was really lovely
Want to read
December 18, 2021🎁 FREE on Amazon today (12/18/2021)! 🎁
November 9, 2022
3.5 stars
This author writes slow burn fairly well, but the endings always feel abrupt.
This author writes slow burn fairly well, but the endings always feel abrupt.
September 3, 2025
jasper & kieran - 4 stars 🩶 rtc!
June 21, 2022
What in the Wattpad??
Okay, this would have been a 3 ⭐️ based strictly on writing/plot but there were SO many typos and incorrect sentences/missing words that I just couldn’t ignore it - so I bumped it to 2 ⭐️ .
The biggest issue I have with this book is how absolutely unappealing Jasper is made out to be - the author made his personality and insecurities so crappy and childish that I almost cringed when Kieran accepted him, like “you sure you wanna hit that??”. He was a little embarrassing.
Secondly, the banter in this was SO mean. There is no way I’d ever be attracted to and fall in love with someone who talked to me the way both of the boys talked to each other - it was too much.
Some of the characters felt super flat and too filler-like. I wish they utilized the friend groups more. I also wish they would have elaborated on college and future plans - are they gonna go to the same college? Will a long distance relationship work? What are they planning to stay together?
Lastly, the final climax of saying “I love you” was soooo weird - “I want to be best friends…I love you” … what??? That’s something a middle schooler would say…it was definitely awkward and had a large Wattpad feel to how rushed the final plot was. The writing was pretty mediocre.
On a side note, the evolved relationship was still cute; I also loved Senior’s character.
It’s an ok book, nothing to recommend though.
Okay, this would have been a 3 ⭐️ based strictly on writing/plot but there were SO many typos and incorrect sentences/missing words that I just couldn’t ignore it - so I bumped it to 2 ⭐️ .
The biggest issue I have with this book is how absolutely unappealing Jasper is made out to be - the author made his personality and insecurities so crappy and childish that I almost cringed when Kieran accepted him, like “you sure you wanna hit that??”. He was a little embarrassing.
Secondly, the banter in this was SO mean. There is no way I’d ever be attracted to and fall in love with someone who talked to me the way both of the boys talked to each other - it was too much.
Some of the characters felt super flat and too filler-like. I wish they utilized the friend groups more. I also wish they would have elaborated on college and future plans - are they gonna go to the same college? Will a long distance relationship work? What are they planning to stay together?
Lastly, the final climax of saying “I love you” was soooo weird - “I want to be best friends…I love you” … what??? That’s something a middle schooler would say…it was definitely awkward and had a large Wattpad feel to how rushed the final plot was. The writing was pretty mediocre.
On a side note, the evolved relationship was still cute; I also loved Senior’s character.
It’s an ok book, nothing to recommend though.
May 3, 2024
I used to avoid college romance stories because young men falling love can be a painful read. Of course now I love them, but this one is high school, HIGH SCHOOL!!! These kids are barely out of play school and they're falling in love, so angsty. This is so freaking hard to read at times, the bullying, the pressure, the disapprove because you come from a lower class background, all that and then trying to hide your feelings for someone. I mean, they are 18 but feelings and hatred can run so deep at that age. I found it very hard to summon up any liking for Jasper at the start of this, he was immediately jealous of Kieran, for no good reason, and it got worse in school, he was bad tempered and snarky. Meanwhile Kieran is hiding a painful past, pushed around to stay with someone he barely new and to a school that looked down on him, it's an upsetting, intense but wonderful read.
December 2, 2021
I finished this so quick and my only complaint is that I wanted more!
I loved that it's a true enemies-to-lovers because they become lovers when they absolutely did not get along. I did feel though that Jasper was more at fault for the not-getting-along. He was an ass to Kieran for no reason but I'm glad he matured as the book went on and admitted his faults. Kieran, on the other hand, was a good person throughout so I liked him a bit more.
Still wish I could've had more of them. Maybe in one of the upcoming books in this series? :D
I loved that it's a true enemies-to-lovers because they become lovers when they absolutely did not get along. I did feel though that Jasper was more at fault for the not-getting-along. He was an ass to Kieran for no reason but I'm glad he matured as the book went on and admitted his faults. Kieran, on the other hand, was a good person throughout so I liked him a bit more.
Still wish I could've had more of them. Maybe in one of the upcoming books in this series? :D
December 5, 2021
This is nicely written, although it could be a bit better edited because a few tiny typos slipped through the cracks.
The story itself is good and it packs an emotional punch. The characters and their relationship develop throughout the plot, and it's quite engaging.
This is a true enemies to lovers, as it should be, in my opinion.
The only thing that underwhelmed me was the little drama in the end. I felt like there was going to be a huge blow out, but it was really on the low angst scale.
Someone might consider it a plus, depending on one's romantic angst requirements. ;)
The story itself is good and it packs an emotional punch. The characters and their relationship develop throughout the plot, and it's quite engaging.
This is a true enemies to lovers, as it should be, in my opinion.
The only thing that underwhelmed me was the little drama in the end. I felt like there was going to be a huge blow out, but it was really on the low angst scale.
Someone might consider it a plus, depending on one's romantic angst requirements. ;)
June 19, 2024
Definitely enjoyed this one! It was more steamy than the first one and had an entertaining storyline. Will definitely be continuing the series.
December 2, 2021
I swear if we look closely and if the author opens up they will tell show us their wattpad profile. This comment is not to say Wattpad is shallow, because I do in fact love it. So my point with the comment is to say that this book reads like it was written by a young adult in their late teens or early twenties, which for the most part is the age group most dominant on the site.
The multiple grammatical, spelling errors and plot in this, is not the issue.
It's the writing and poor planning that made me want to put the book down.
Basically, the story goes like this: We have Kieran who was transferred schools across states/country? in the middle of his final year in high school. He is kindly offered and welcomed to stay in Senior's house, a rich old dude who's just living life. You can tell Kieran doesn't come from the copious amounts of money his new classmates come from. Especially, Senior's grandson, who's rude to him for no reason.
Actually, let me rephrase that. It makes sense that he's rude what doesn't make sense is the way their fuck buddy system is set up or build up. The two had very little to no sexual tension, which is a thing you see on wattpad all the time. It's like the author was just hurried to give us the sex and the devil grins and the shy gaze later on. Again, although cheesy as fuck this is why I'm saying the plot in itself was fine. It's the writing that needs works, we could've used some more tension to alleviate that sexual energy. Especially on the ski trip where they grind on each other, the cringe and smell of failure started to rise the first time Kieran got off the bed, phone on hand stalking towards this rude pretty boy. Revise that please and where you know you can't remember eye colours, don't mention them.
I know many other readers find it and will find it off putting when they read about Michael's blue eyes in one chapter and read about Michael's brown eyes several chapter ahead? Maybe Michael wears contacts, hell, I'd have believed it -playing into the nerd stereotype if you have alluded to it.
Ugh, do you know what else doesn't make sense is Fin - a friend of Kieran's fuckbuddy - targeting the poor, new kid who was expelled from his last school. A public school at that.
Like nah fam it doesn't fit the psychology of a bully. A bully is like a leopard, it just doesn't change spots overnight. A bully that feeds off week prey, will never go after a wounded fellow predator, continually. It just doesn't happen, bullies that are most likely to go after Kieran are those that don't even bother with what's below them. This is so unlike Fin, a child - who the eff calls and hangs up after one sentence? It's not like he was showing out for his frat bros, or football bros or whatever. Fin was alone in a room, defeated like baby cat and called a number to whisper a sentence long threat into it before he cut the call like baby cat.
Come on, make it make sense.
On overall, is this a book I will recommend or buy for friends? No. Never.
Is this a book I loved reading? No but I enjoyed it a little.
Will I remember this book? Yes. It was a cute story, it had so much potential but it was too simply written, I fear that when I do remember it I will always this it was one of my wattpad stories. Which sucks coz wattpad has some of the best stories that I fear will never be published.
My advice to the author? Maybe consider searching up writing help from YouTube, your descriptions could use some help and other accessories eg: how to write sexual tension, reading on the psychology of different personalities, look up the MBIT personality traits, zodiacs to make sure that the patterns of your characters match etc...
I like the way your mind thinks, your characters are sweet and nice, you planned well and did good on the pacing of the story. I look forward to more of your works, I hope they will be better than this, I hope you will tend to your writing further going on and also the sex scenes. They were....good actually even though there was something missing.
It is possible your sex scenes were perfect as they were but I got very biased because the writing wasn't good enough.
Typos and errors, please ignore my mistakes in this review. I'm at work, thinking, typing and briefing a colleague at the same time so yea.
The multiple grammatical, spelling errors and plot in this, is not the issue.
It's the writing and poor planning that made me want to put the book down.
Basically, the story goes like this: We have Kieran who was transferred schools across states/country? in the middle of his final year in high school. He is kindly offered and welcomed to stay in Senior's house, a rich old dude who's just living life. You can tell Kieran doesn't come from the copious amounts of money his new classmates come from. Especially, Senior's grandson, who's rude to him for no reason.
Actually, let me rephrase that. It makes sense that he's rude what doesn't make sense is the way their fuck buddy system is set up or build up. The two had very little to no sexual tension, which is a thing you see on wattpad all the time. It's like the author was just hurried to give us the sex and the devil grins and the shy gaze later on. Again, although cheesy as fuck this is why I'm saying the plot in itself was fine. It's the writing that needs works, we could've used some more tension to alleviate that sexual energy. Especially on the ski trip where they grind on each other, the cringe and smell of failure started to rise the first time Kieran got off the bed, phone on hand stalking towards this rude pretty boy. Revise that please and where you know you can't remember eye colours, don't mention them.
I know many other readers find it and will find it off putting when they read about Michael's blue eyes in one chapter and read about Michael's brown eyes several chapter ahead? Maybe Michael wears contacts, hell, I'd have believed it -playing into the nerd stereotype if you have alluded to it.
Ugh, do you know what else doesn't make sense is Fin - a friend of Kieran's fuckbuddy - targeting the poor, new kid who was expelled from his last school. A public school at that.
Like nah fam it doesn't fit the psychology of a bully. A bully is like a leopard, it just doesn't change spots overnight. A bully that feeds off week prey, will never go after a wounded fellow predator, continually. It just doesn't happen, bullies that are most likely to go after Kieran are those that don't even bother with what's below them. This is so unlike Fin, a child - who the eff calls and hangs up after one sentence? It's not like he was showing out for his frat bros, or football bros or whatever. Fin was alone in a room, defeated like baby cat and called a number to whisper a sentence long threat into it before he cut the call like baby cat.
Come on, make it make sense.
On overall, is this a book I will recommend or buy for friends? No. Never.
Is this a book I loved reading? No but I enjoyed it a little.
Will I remember this book? Yes. It was a cute story, it had so much potential but it was too simply written, I fear that when I do remember it I will always this it was one of my wattpad stories. Which sucks coz wattpad has some of the best stories that I fear will never be published.
My advice to the author? Maybe consider searching up writing help from YouTube, your descriptions could use some help and other accessories eg: how to write sexual tension, reading on the psychology of different personalities, look up the MBIT personality traits, zodiacs to make sure that the patterns of your characters match etc...
I like the way your mind thinks, your characters are sweet and nice, you planned well and did good on the pacing of the story. I look forward to more of your works, I hope they will be better than this, I hope you will tend to your writing further going on and also the sex scenes. They were....good actually even though there was something missing.
It is possible your sex scenes were perfect as they were but I got very biased because the writing wasn't good enough.
Typos and errors, please ignore my mistakes in this review. I'm at work, thinking, typing and briefing a colleague at the same time so yea.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2022
I like this author, too bad she has 3 books only :( I like how real all of them feel, their dialogues and behaviour, not cheap nor dramatic. For example, in this book there is a bully but he isn't evil, just dumb and spoiled. And no one is really a homophobic... how nice it was to read the reaction of everyone, from Juliet to Senior, when both Jasper and Kieran came out.
I am a hopeless romantic so the whole friends-with-benefits (or enemy-with-benefits) was sad to me. It was sadder because they were not friends. They literally hook up and then the other one leaves right after. It was only towards the end where they talk a little bit and study together. They were both sweet, good kids but precisely because they feel so young I think this ends with a HFN.
It was nice to "see" Curtis and Liam again. While their book was not steamy as this one, I felt like their love was deeper. I think it is because the "ILY" comes too fast (they do not talk too much and Kieran just broke up with Michael, his 1st love and bf of several years.. someone he also loved just months ago and was still heartbroken). The ending, where Kieran is inviting Jasper to Sydney to show him all the tourists places... I was wondering if he would talk about Michael, but nope, the end.
I am a hopeless romantic so the whole friends-with-benefits (or enemy-with-benefits) was sad to me. It was sadder because they were not friends. They literally hook up and then the other one leaves right after. It was only towards the end where they talk a little bit and study together. They were both sweet, good kids but precisely because they feel so young I think this ends with a HFN.
It was nice to "see" Curtis and Liam again. While their book was not steamy as this one, I felt like their love was deeper. I think it is because the "ILY" comes too fast (they do not talk too much and Kieran just broke up with Michael, his 1st love and bf of several years.. someone he also loved just months ago and was still heartbroken). The ending, where Kieran is inviting Jasper to Sydney to show him all the tourists places... I was wondering if he would talk about Michael, but nope, the end.
December 2, 2021
I honestly found this hard to put down, despite its lack of proper copy editing.
Basically, I agree with everything Ivy said in her review.
Adding to the heat: the swapping of hoodies and jumpers, and, by all means, their initial coming together on the ski trip after the phone is tossed across the room.
Can Milana Spencer keep ratcheting up the romance at Easton Grammar? The Enemy Benefit was steamier than the earlier The Boyfriend Rivalry. Both are worth wading through the copy errors.
Basically, I agree with everything Ivy said in her review.
Adding to the heat: the swapping of hoodies and jumpers, and, by all means, their initial coming together on the ski trip after the phone is tossed across the room.
Can Milana Spencer keep ratcheting up the romance at Easton Grammar? The Enemy Benefit was steamier than the earlier The Boyfriend Rivalry. Both are worth wading through the copy errors.
February 10, 2023
Tropes: enemies to lovers, coming of age
Feels: 5/5
Steam: 4/5
Kinks: none
Angst: low
Triggers/potential icks: none
This was a well done story. The characters had some complexity to them. They were in their final year of high school so they were expectedly a bit immature and new to dealing with emotions and life. It was cute to see them struggle but also be brave and move their lives forward. They got off on the wrong foot when they met so there was some tension between them to start. And it was nice that there was steam from pretty early on. They were very drawn to each other.
Feels: 5/5
Steam: 4/5
Kinks: none
Angst: low
Triggers/potential icks: none
This was a well done story. The characters had some complexity to them. They were in their final year of high school so they were expectedly a bit immature and new to dealing with emotions and life. It was cute to see them struggle but also be brave and move their lives forward. They got off on the wrong foot when they met so there was some tension between them to start. And it was nice that there was steam from pretty early on. They were very drawn to each other.
February 16, 2024
✨ 3.5
Enjoyable light read. The book definitely needed more editing but I already knew that by the comments so I was expecting it. I had a good time with the story but probably won’t remember anything about it by next week 🤷♀️
Enjoyable light read. The book definitely needed more editing but I already knew that by the comments so I was expecting it. I had a good time with the story but probably won’t remember anything about it by next week 🤷♀️
June 6, 2022
I don't think this is a 4* book, not at all, but compared with the first it is. Does that make sense?
August 20, 2024
After reading and falling completely in love with book 4 of Easton Grammar (The Anonymous Hookup, which I loved as much as the other MM book with the exact same title by a different author), I've gone back and read the first three and enjoyed each of them, though none so much as that brilliant fourth book.
Still, The Enemy Benefit was engaging. I disliked MC Jasper quite a lot; his sense of entitlement takes far too long to get taken down a peg, and even then, it doesn't ever feel like he really understands just how crappy he's been to the other MC, Kieran. He never makes it up to him, and he never calls out his friends on their equally crappy behavior, which was a miss. But he did feel realistic and flawed, and I enjoyed their enemies-to-lovers chemistry and therefore the book. Both heroes are bisexual.
Kieran comes to live with Jasper's grandfather out of the blue, after being expelled for fighting from his old school. It's due to some friend connection between Kieran's father and Jasper's grandfather (Senior), which never really made sense to me but it unimportant. Jasper immediately resents this interloper, and when he's assigned to be Kieran's buddy/guide to their school, he shirks his duties and is a complete asshole to Kieran, leaving him to flounder through this new world of entitled rich kids and school uniforms. Luckily, Kieran is pretty quickly adopted by a great group of awesome girls, who befriend him and have his back without any unneeded romantic stickiness getting in the way.
Senior keeps throwing Jasper and Kieran together, which is hilarious and also hard to see bc Jasper is just a total dick again and again. It builds into hate-f-ing that turns tender, because the almighty Jasper is a virgin and caught off guard by his incendiary attraction to Kieran, who's had a boyfriend in his past and knows how to push Jasper's buttons. One encounter leads to an addiction to Kieran that has Jasper asking for more, and while of course he messes that up at first too, eventually they form an enemies-with-benefits fiery relationship, secret and salacious.
Seeing them interact more and start to act caring toward each other without realizing it is part of this author's brilliance for building a relationship and Showing without Telling. While I didn't buy into the genuine feelings in this one as much as others—it still felt a little fast/soon to believe in I love yous—I still enjoyed the journey and connection between the MCs.
Jasper does finally stand up for Kieran, but, it still wasn't fully satisfying and didn't feel like he really learned and felt remorse for how wrongly he'd been acting. And while I know violence is never the answer, Kieran's fighting felt justified, and it seemed wrong that the antagonists in his past as well as the one at this school weren't ever publicly called out to face consequences for their bullying behavior.
That said, I was riveted again to the story and kept flipping pages, and the read is four stars for that addictive quality alone, despite my issues with Jasper and the situation. Highly enjoyable.
HEA (well, they're in high school, so, really, HFN), enemies to lovers NA romance. No cheating or any others at all; no OM drama (though it took too long to find out what happened w Kieran's ex boyfriend, IMO). Recommended.
Still, The Enemy Benefit was engaging. I disliked MC Jasper quite a lot; his sense of entitlement takes far too long to get taken down a peg, and even then, it doesn't ever feel like he really understands just how crappy he's been to the other MC, Kieran. He never makes it up to him, and he never calls out his friends on their equally crappy behavior, which was a miss. But he did feel realistic and flawed, and I enjoyed their enemies-to-lovers chemistry and therefore the book. Both heroes are bisexual.
Kieran comes to live with Jasper's grandfather out of the blue, after being expelled for fighting from his old school. It's due to some friend connection between Kieran's father and Jasper's grandfather (Senior), which never really made sense to me but it unimportant. Jasper immediately resents this interloper, and when he's assigned to be Kieran's buddy/guide to their school, he shirks his duties and is a complete asshole to Kieran, leaving him to flounder through this new world of entitled rich kids and school uniforms. Luckily, Kieran is pretty quickly adopted by a great group of awesome girls, who befriend him and have his back without any unneeded romantic stickiness getting in the way.
Senior keeps throwing Jasper and Kieran together, which is hilarious and also hard to see bc Jasper is just a total dick again and again. It builds into hate-f-ing that turns tender, because the almighty Jasper is a virgin and caught off guard by his incendiary attraction to Kieran, who's had a boyfriend in his past and knows how to push Jasper's buttons. One encounter leads to an addiction to Kieran that has Jasper asking for more, and while of course he messes that up at first too, eventually they form an enemies-with-benefits fiery relationship, secret and salacious.
Seeing them interact more and start to act caring toward each other without realizing it is part of this author's brilliance for building a relationship and Showing without Telling. While I didn't buy into the genuine feelings in this one as much as others—it still felt a little fast/soon to believe in I love yous—I still enjoyed the journey and connection between the MCs.
Jasper does finally stand up for Kieran, but, it still wasn't fully satisfying and didn't feel like he really learned and felt remorse for how wrongly he'd been acting. And while I know violence is never the answer, Kieran's fighting felt justified, and it seemed wrong that the antagonists in his past as well as the one at this school weren't ever publicly called out to face consequences for their bullying behavior.
That said, I was riveted again to the story and kept flipping pages, and the read is four stars for that addictive quality alone, despite my issues with Jasper and the situation. Highly enjoyable.
HEA (well, they're in high school, so, really, HFN), enemies to lovers NA romance. No cheating or any others at all; no OM drama (though it took too long to find out what happened w Kieran's ex boyfriend, IMO). Recommended.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews