Enemies with Benefits

by J.D. Hollyfield

Ben
Love? Yeah, hard pass.

It has the power to take everything from you—even yourself. It’s why I stay clear.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m a big fan of insta-lust. The kind that only lasts as long as the heat does. Come
morning? It’s a whole new day. That’s why, when I meet the perfect girl at a wedding, I know, for the next
couple of hours, I’m going to love every little succulent inch of her.

That’s until she tricks me, leaving me high and dry, literally.
It’s now my mission to find out who she is.

Makayla
My life couldn’t be going any worse. Falling apart would put it mildly. Comparing it to a dumpster fire sounds
more accurate. And now, I’m being forced to move back home, a place I swore I would never return to.
When the one person I’ve spent my entire life hating walks back into my life, it finally pushes me over the
edge.

He’s still so arrogant. So full of himself. And still has a way of lighting a fire inside me.
I need to stop looking at him the way he’s looking at me.
But everything will go up in flames once he finds out who I am.

Genres: Enemies To Lovers, Contemporary, Romance, Suspense, Ebooks, Firefighters, Romantic Suspense

Kindle Edition

First published August 29, 2022

About the author

Creative designer, mother, wife, writer, part-time superhero...

USA Today Bestselling author J.D. Hollyfield is a creative designer by day and superhero by night. When she is not trying to save the world one happy ending at a time, she enjoys the snuggles of her husband, sons, and doxies. With her love for romance, and a head full of book boyfriends, she was inspired to test her creative abilities and bring her own story to life.

J.D. Hollyfield lives in the Midwest and is currently at work on blowing the minds of readers, with the additions of her new books and series, along with her charm, humor, and Happily Ever After's.

Reviews

[Lori R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this enemies to lovers story!
And can we all take a moment to appreciate that cover? Seriously perfect. And he IS Ben.

Ben & Makayla have a history. It didn’t start out the best. But they were young, sassy teenagers who’d sling verbal insults at each other every chance they could.

What started out as funny and seemingly harmless, turned out to be quite a serious and heartfelt story and showed all sides of both Mak(ayla) and Ben. I felt like I knew them by the end of this book.

The banter between Ben and Mak was snarky and witty and always entertaining. Even though her childhood was shitty, she could hold her own with Ben, both in the past & presently.

The author did a fantastic job going from making me think Ben was an arrogant, selfish player, jerk-face to a beautiful, caring man with many complicated layers. As the story continues, we see those layers slowly being peeled away. And I saw my heart going pitter-patter a little more often.

I loved seeing the kind and caring and strong guy he really is. Although he’s demanding and bossy (in the most loving & sexy way…), he’s also got a vulnerability that showed up often and made me adore him even more. And then he’s got a big ol’ heart to boot.

I loved getting the glimpses from their past. It gave them depth, it made me feel so many emotions, and it made me love these characters even more than I already did.

And let’s talk steam levels, shall we? Smokin’ hot and sizzling fireworks. The anger and bitterness and all those pranks and all that bitterness toward each other? It equals fiery passion in the bedroom. HOTT.

This book has a bit of everything - plenty of humor, lots of steam, and a perfect amount of heart to give you all the feels. And what a lovely little plot twist thrown in here - nice touch!

If you love a good enemies-to-lovers with plenty of emotion, I recommend this one!

[Kelli Case · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book!

Enemies to lovers? ✔️
Witty comebacks? ✔️
Tragedy?✔️
Mystery? ✔️

Seriously Ben and Mak had me caught up until the end!

[Tricia Bartley. #AuthorStalker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enemies with Benefits By JD Hollyfield was Fan-damn-tastic!!!

I can finally write this review now... but I will tell you that my heart was put through the ringer on this one. JD Holyfield pulled out all the feels in this book.

Goodness what a ride on a twisty tourney roller coaster LOL..

I also have to share that I laughed (the banter was great!) and I cried and I laughed some more and I cried some more. But the end result was my heart was soo very full!!

I have to say Enemies With Benefits is a top read for me this year...even if my heart has a bandaid on it after reading lol

5 "I will never forget about Makayla and Ben's story" Stars!! 💜💜💜

[J.D. Hollyfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

TEASER

It's time to hear Ben's side of the story...
Add to your Goodreads TBR list here: https://bit.ly/3NQOdk3
What you can expect:
✔️Enemies to Lovers
✔️Bully
✔️Shared Pasts
✔️Mistaken Identities
✔️Secrets and Lies
✔️Revenge
✔️Filled with humor, angsty scenes, suspense, and your happily ever after.
Release Date: August 29th
Bloggers sign up here for release events:
https://forms.gle/qgNGS7DaY4cagkat5
Wanna catch up on the whole crew before the release of Enemies with Benefits?
Chicks, Man: https://geni.us/chicksman
Worth the Chase: https://geni.us/worththechase
Follow JD Hollyfield! https://geni.us/AuthorJDHollyfield

[Kahea · Rating 5 out of 5]

***5 Stars***

Oh. My. Head. And Eyes. And Heart.

And that’s just about Ben and Makayla...it doesn’t even include the other crazy that happens in the book (and no, I’m not just talking about Chase, Levi and Kip) there is other crazy…but, despite the whiplash (or maybe because of) I kept turning the pages and loved how everything turned out in the end.

Ben and Mak…these two drove me batshitcrazy. As much as I loved them/ended up loving them, they both annoyed the hell out of me in equal measure. Both have really good hearts and care deeply for those they call their own, but when they go at it, they go big. As teens, I tended to side with Mak, and it wasn’t because of the obvious, but as adults, they were both on the same level in a lot of ways. But, the chemistry was there and while there was a whole bunch of push/pull going on ~ and add in a bunch of outside crazy ~ they were inevitable and I’m just happy they figured it all out and got their HEA.

This baby has A LOT going on. I mean we have teen Ben & Mak. Adult (most of the time) Ben & Mak. Their crew of friends who tend to have no boundaries. And then some crazy on the side-ish drama that even I didn’t see coming. On top of that there is a situation brought up that will cause triggers for some, but does play a role in Ben & Mak’s journey…so reader beware. But, all in all, this was a fun read: the snark, the wit, the heart, the heat...it’s all kinds of goodness for those who love a good enemies to lovers read.

~ Copy provided by the author & voluntarily reviewed ~

[Intel Chicky Reads Romance (Kara Merideth) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4.5)
Trope: enemies to lovers
Angst: 😱😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥

Straight up, I had a really difficult time with the beginning of this book, but then it seemed like a corner was turned and I'm REALLY glad I stuck with it, because it ended up being BEAUTIFUL and I'd HIGHLY recommend! Let me explain. JD Hollyfield is a new to me author. I have not read any of the other books in the series and did not feel like I was missing any of the plot, but at the same time, I definitely was feeling like I missed out on character dynamics between both of the 2 MCs as well as the side characters. This is an enemies to lovers, childhood nemesis story and BOY did they hate each other. They both had bad crap going on at home and they targeted all their angst at each other. Horribly. Sometimes funnily, but for the most part they were both buttholes. Bad. Him, definitely more than her, especially when they were young. This translated weird for me at first, because it read kind of romcom-y, but was interspersed with some super traumatic flashbacks of what they had going on in their lives. But then we moved on... phew 😅.

Once we moved past the true loathing hate, I felt like I was good to go and completely on board with the story. It was super well written, had tons of twists, and honestly, it felt a little bit like a thriller by the end! The chemistry between them was fantastic and I loved the character growth. They still had their ups and downs while they navigated their relationship, but liked the fact the author didn't let stuff fester and it was dealt with quickly, even if they reverted to past behaviors and insecurities. Enemies with Benefits had really great laugh out loud moments, some crying jags, and some places where I was definitely biting my nails - really, the whole package!

⛔️ My bookshelves can sometimes contain spoilers

[Sierra M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my word. This baby is PACKED! We get a full length story. We get it all - no rip offs here. Gah this story had depth. It dealt with a lot. Before I go into spoilers below, I’ll just say that I really loved the growth that both characters had in this book. I experienced just about every emotion in this book. Okay now for spoilers.


Man, I loved the childhood glimpses. The teasing and tormenting as a sign of love and that Ben’s dad saw that right away. I also really loved that it explored how a child experiencing abuse (if you’re reading this before the book - physical) has their saviors and as they experience things most kids do, how those things stack up.

I think it handled Ben’s growth really well - for him to realize how he unknowingly contributed to the hell she was experiencing growing up. You feel for both sides because theyre dumb kids and like he said - he came from a loving home so abuse wasn’t even on his radar. I think Mak was such a strong character and she took everything on with such grace.

Aside from the spice which was done just perfectly - I expect no less from JDH, this book was really really beautiful. It had humor and it had heartbreak. It had suspense and mystery. The heroines experience of her marriage - her husband cheating was absolutely heartbreaking and man was I stressed experiencing that alongside her. But I absolutely loved watching Ben and Mak grow together and stop fighting the thin line between hate and love. They had passion in spades.

I believe this is the last book in this group and I’m sad to see them go but I loved the bonus epilogue glimpse into the future. Things have a way of repeating, don’t they?

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! This.BOOK. THIS.BOOK.

J.D. Hollyfield is a new to me author and I can.not.wait. to read more of her books! I loved her writing style. I really enjoyed how she talked about the characters past to provide more insight, and then connected it to the current.

This book was everything. You want a sexy firefighter - check. You want enemies-to-lovers - check. You want a bully - check. You want a plot - check. You want spice - check.

Enemies with Benefits follows Makayla who comes home due to a death in the family. She grew up in an abusive home and then moved away with her aunt. When she comes home she runs into her childhood nemesis, Ben. Ben is the local firefighter and doesn't recognize Mikayla when they run into each other, but she knows exactly who he is. I could not get enough of these two. Their banter, their chemistry, the angst, the plot twist - was OH SO GOOD!

READ THIS BOOK!!!! I promise you will not be disappointed!

Rating: 4.5/5
Spice: 3/5
Trope: Enemies to Lovers, bully, secrets and lies, revenge, shared past, mistaken identities
Check TW/CW

***Received ARC for an honest review***

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Enemies with Benefits was definitely more than I expected and I really enjoyed it.

J.D. wrote a unique enemies to lover story with a thrilling twist to their story.

Mak and Ben were much enemies til Mak unexpectedly moved away. Now they are both at a mutual friend's wedding, except one of them doesn't realize it til it's too late. And that's the start of their whirlwind journey.

I am not giving anything else away because then it would take away from the tension and angst that J.D. fills these pages with perfectly. There is no love-loss between these two but as adults, the chemistry is explosive!!

I loved the banter amongst everyone, but especially Mak and Ben. These two are true fire in so many ways together.

J.D. wrote this story beautifully. She kept true to the characters and their mannerisms. I loved that she added a thrilling layer to this book to give it more depth and go beyond just the enemies to lovers story. While I was able to figure things out fairly early on, I still enjoyed the story.

Enemies to Benefits is more than what you think – don't pass this one up.

[mistylovesbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ben and Makala have known each other since they were kids. Ben teased her mercilessly but she always gave it right back.
When Mak was around 14 she moves away. Years later she comes back for her best friend, Hannah’s, wedding and to settle her dad’s estate since he had recently passed.
Ben has only one thought while at the wedding and that is to hook up with a woman for the night. He sees Mak across the room but doesn’t recognize her but she sure recognizes him.
He makes his move and needless to say she gets a bit of revenge on him.
Ben can’t get her out of his head and continues to pursue her. Their banter is great. Mak, who is recently divorced, isn’t looking for a relationship though, especially with her old nemesis.
There ends up being some major drama and some twists and turns that will have you yelling at the book.

Thank you J.D. for the opportunity to read this arc.

[Karen Hoffman - Booktastic · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the back and forth bantering of Ben and Makayla. Love that after so many years they were at the right place to explore their friendship. There were surprises and twists which were so exciting. A lot of emotions while reading the story. Unique and different which was nice. Love how there were so many side characters. Close knit group of friends.

[Valeen Robertson (Live Thru Books Blog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Universal

Ben may not recognize Makayla when he sees her again, but she certainly does him. And it's not a happy thing. These two may have been nemeses when they were growing up, but now as adults they're far worse than that. So any chance of them working through their mutual disdain seems to be about nil. But there just may be a chance if they can get to the heart of the matter - their real feelings.



Ben may not have recognized Makayla, but when he does, he knows he was a serious jerk to her when they were kids. What he also knows is that he can't get her out of his mind. Yes, they're not exactly friends, but he wants her. Now the question is, will Makayla allow herself to feel the feelings buried deep down.



I love enemies to lovers. The angst, the snappy banter, the antagonism just barely masking attraction - all my favorite kind of thing. But when the story is deeper, has a suspenseful overtone, even better. And this is all why I love this particular enemies to lovers so much. Makayla and Ben are such layered characters, both damaged with more than their fair share of baggage, but in the end, are very lovable and finally, happy.



ARC provided by Wildfire Marketing Solutions for an honest review.

Review / Release Blitz: Live Through Books Blog.

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[Books, Booze & Bon Voyage (Krista Webster) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enemies With Benefits by J.D. Hollyfield is a fun rom-com about Ben and Makayla. This is an
enemies to lovers romance with a touch of suspense and intrigue amongst the hilarity. However, it is not all fun and games because they have both experienced tragedy in their lives which led to their worlds being turned upside down. Although this can be read as a standalone, I was pleased I had read Worth The Chase and Kicks Man, so I knew the great friendship between these boys and all about the girls in their lives.

Makayla can’t believe she is back home after sixteen years away because she is still haunted by the dark memories of her time living there. Now she finds herself trying to start a new life after the dramatic events that have brought about her change in circumstances. Ben is a firefighter and the last single one out of his best friends since Kip, Levi and Chase have all found ‘the one’.

The book starts with them all celebrating Levi and Hannah’s wedding. Ben is drawn to one of the guests and thinks he in luck when she reacts to his flirting, however, things don’t turn out like he hopes. Makayla thinks it is poetic justice that Ben is flirting with her and takes full advantage of the situation. She was thirteen when they last saw each other so she wasn’t surprised he hadn’t recognised her. She knows he will be cross at being deceived but to her it was well worth it for all he had put her through as a teenager.

Things look up for her when Makayla manages to get a Kindergarten job but on her first day the children are treated to a visit from the local firefighters. Ben is shocked to see the temptress from the wedding is their teacher. He is even more surprised to discover who she actually is. She quickly reminds him of how cruel and mean he was to her. We hear all about what Ben was like back then but also how she did give back as good as she got, so it was a constant battle to see who could do the most damage and get the best reactions.

They keep meeting up and slowly the pull between them gets stronger. Even with all the teasing they are both finding it hard to ignore the attraction and when the spark between them ignites, it is intense and passionate. Ben is fed up of all the back and forth between them and calls a truce, he is done denying his feelings and decides to man up and tell her. During the flirting and game playing a series of strange things start to happen to Makayla. She thought she had left all that behind when she moved, but it all comes to a head when her life is put in danger.

The banter throughout the book is hilarious. The author not only entertains us with Ben and Makayla, we also get his best friends teasing one another and the wisecracks between the firefighters. I felt the best conversations were when the couple were younger because the ribbing and witty comebacks were excellent and held a much deeper meaning than they realised at that age. There is so much more to both of them and as it is all revealed, you realise what they have been through. Makayla’s backstory is even sadder than Ben’s and my heart went out to her. The sexual tension was always in the air and I just knew Ben’s intentions this time were sincere. Could the past be put behind them and find the love they both deserved. Can they manage to overcome the outside influences trying to stop them being together? A dramatic ending as everything is revealed, however, sadly I had guessed it all very early on so not that much of a surprise.

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.

4.5 Stars
Oh, boy. These Ben and Makayla were DRAMA. They had a tumultuous past filled with traded barbs and painful banter. Ben excelled at throwing the meanest digs at Makayla as a teen. She gave right back, but his mean-spirited comments made him not my favorite in the flashbacks. In real time, they weren't quite as mean to each other, but they still traded hits. Makayla truly hated Ben and Ben, well Ben might have known he didn't hate her. All their banter made for a passionate explosion when they finally gave into their chemistry. Once they were past all the built-up pain they caused each other, they went full steam ahead with their relationship. Ben was surprisingly sweet to her. I loved how he had her back. Makayla kept Ben on his toes with her sass. They ended up being cute together.  

I mentioned flashbacks above. Flashbacks aren't my thing, but they worked in this book. I feel like I need to point that out for others who don't like them. I liked the way they made Ben and Makayla's past more vivid for the reader. I got to see them as teens who hated each other and adults who hated to love each other. There's some important and hard stuff that happened back then. It's stuff the reader needs to know and puts their current relationship in focus. It was also fun to be able to see the dynamics switch between them. 

This book, like the connected books before it, had a side of romantic suspense. This time around the plot was more predictable. The character to cause problems was easily picked out. That didn't stop me from liking where it took Ben and Makayla's story. Sometimes I did wonder how Makayla could be so naive and I wanted to give her a good shake, though. 

Overall, I enjoyed Ben's book. I was happy that he got someone like Makayla to fall in love with. They were perfect for each other. I'm sad this is the last friend to fall in love. I would love to keep reading about this group of people. I would highly recommend reading Chicks, Man and then Worth the Chase prior to reading this book. Or just jump right and get to know everyone. It will make you want to go back and read the other books too. 

You can find this book and others like it at A Novel Glimpse .

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh man, there is SO MUCH going on in this book!! Nothing is simple with these two.

This is a terrific enemies to lovers with such an incredible backstory between these Ben and Makayla. I really enjoyed the flashbacks to when they were kids and all the banter between the two of them. And it sets such a wonderful anger-filled stage when they meet up again. No one does revenge like Mak!

Ben and Mak are both dealing with trauma from their past that impacts how they are able to interact now. And while they are both contributing adults now, they are often very childish with each other - except when they can’t keep their hands off each other. Their push/pull was a very prominent part of the story!!

I loved their circle of friends, but it did make me wish I had read the other books in the series. There are a lot of them to keep track of and some inside jokes that I would have loved to understand!

If you expect that all the drama will be Ben and Mak learning to deal with one another, you will be wrong. There is another drama afoot in the story that I know will be trigger for some friends. So, feel free to ask me about trigger warnings or go in blind, either way it makes for great reading.

I requested an early reader copy of this book and these are my honest opinions.

[Bibliophile Chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whew! This story is a whirlwind of swoons, smexiness, heart, and a dash of mystery!

This is the story of Makayla and Ben. Enemies since childhood, and the definition of a thin line between love and hate.

Makayla has had a turbulent and troubled childhood and past that has molded her into the strong woman she is today. She is trying to put the past behind her and give up the ghosts of her childhood. I laughed at her inner dialogue when it came to Ben, and I admired her inner strength and perseverance over the odds against her.

Ben...Wowza what an alpha! Just the right blend of possessiveness, snark, and heart. I was enamored with his character, and I could empathize with his struggle with his relationship with his mom.

The chemistry between these two never faded over time and distance; in fact, it became even more electric. I loved their interactions and the banter!

Now you add the mystery, and it will keep you guessing! I couldn't put this story down, and I loved the flow and the fast pace.

[Laura Reads Too Much · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!!

These two have been life long enemies, it's nothing vicious, no physical bullying, it's all verbal - a lot of it banter, but she's not had it easy AT ALL, so some of the digs do affect her.

Anyway, fast forward 10 years or so and Mak is back in town - and Ben doesn't realise who she is, he sees a stunning woman and is hoping to have a night to remember with her but cue the first stage of her revenge!

When it comes to light who she is, Ben's adamant that he'll one-up her.... but there's no denying the sizzling attraction between the two.

They're banter had me rollin' at times - so funny, filled with wit, pranks, and then they have the moments when they realise they want more...

An excellent funny, feel-good read. But don't be thinking it's all sunflowers and rainbows because it seems Mak's past is following her .....

Loved it!!




*I voluntarily received an arc and this is my honest review.

[Amy [Book Addict Reviews] · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Ben and Makayla’s story from the start! It was filled with laughs, some angst, suspense and a little sprinkle of spice.

Ben and Makayla knew each other when they were teens. They didn’t get along, they played pranks on each other. Until one day Makayla was just gone. But now she is back and the pranking hasn’t stopped, though there is a lot of tension and chemistry between the two of them.

The pranks, the back and forth, the chemistry. I love it all. I love that Makayla wasn’t afraid to go after Ben and really knew how to push his buttons and likewise for Ben. They walk to fine line of hate and passion.

I loved the suspense element to this story, too. It added an extra level to it. Plus, the emotional backstories of both Makayla and Ben. There is just so much to love and it is so easy to just fall in love with these characters.

If you’re looking for an enemies to lovers, bully, suspense romance this is one to check out.

[Jenifer Briggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm such a sucker for a book with good banter and holy hell, this romance has that in SPADES. this was so freaking good and I cannot wait for you all to read it!!

Ben and Makayla have a story that's hard to sum up if you haven't experienced yourself-- it's both vulnerable and sweet, spicy, yet full of enemy hate and vengeful hate. But underneath it all was a once in a lifetime love that you just could not get enough of.

This author definitely has a way with words, and I don't think I have laughed that hard in a while during a book. I mean these two are a HOOT together with their pranks and their intensity and the way they love one another -- all of it was just fantastic. I couldn't recommend this book enough!

**I received an ARC of this book and these are my honest opinions **

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enemies with Benefits is my first JD Hollyfield story, but it definitely isn't going to be my last! I truly enjoyed Makayla and Ben's enemies-to-lovers romance. Even in the flashbacks from when they were younger, you could tell that their constant bickering and teasing of one another, just masked the attraction they had for one another. But as adults - the attraction and connection they had for one another only intensified, which led to some super hot sexy times. There was a bit of suspense mixed into the romance, which I did figure out some of it pretty quickly - although the full reveal at the end definitely surprised me a bit. Definitely looking forward to going back and reading the other books connected to this one, as I would love to see how the other couples fell in love.

Overall, this is a really enjoyable story and one I would definitely recommend!

[Jessica (jpbooklife) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had so much fun reading this book. I loved the banter and bickering between Makayla and Ben so much. And this foursome of guy friends always has me cracking up laughing with their particular brand of nonsense. But in this book they didn't just make me laugh they full on had me ugly crying at one point.
Makayla returns to get home town to deal with her deceased father's home. She's newly divorced and starting fresh. After a hilarious reunion with her childhood nemesis, Ben, it gets difficult to fight the chemistry between her and this infuriating firefighter.
This book really had a bit of everything. Laughter, trauma, suspense, angst. It was all there and it was all perfect. There was so much heart in this book. I wasn't ready for it to end.

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Makayla comes home to settle her dad’s estate, as well as attend a friend’s wedding, and when she crosses paths with her childhood nemesis, Ben does not recognize her at first. These two both have caring and huge hearts, and the chemistry between them is undeniable. Can these two move on from enemies / lovers? This is a well written story which has secrets, revenge, lies, angst, drama, suspense, humor, witty banter, friendships, emotions, twists, and love, which leads to a thrilling and addictive page turner.
I received a free copy of this book via Wildfire Marketing Solutions and the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michelle Krystel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given an advance readers copy of this book and have decided to write a voluntary honest review. This was my very first book by this author. God do I love a man in uniform but firefighter doesn't get much better then that. The banter between makayla and Ben was really hot. The pranks, i fell in love with all of it. Ben is such a good man he's really hot too. And Makayla is such a sweet girl except when it comes to Ben lol. I'm really curious about Chase Levi and Kip now.

[Ellee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was totally unexpected, I am
blown away. It had so many layers, and
dealt with different situations.
Loved the banter between Mak and Ben.
The whole love/hate thing was sooo intense.
You could feel the chemistry between them
throughout the whole book. What a mind blowing
twist. I really enjoyed the whole book. I can't wait
to read about the other characters in the book.

[LA ReadsRomance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, Sexy, Thrilling Ride! One of the hottest Enemies with Benefits I’ve read!

Holy melt-your-panties-moly! I just took a thrilling ride on the JD train reading Enemies with Benefits. And boy did I love it! It is funny, sexy, sweet, and it also has some mystery and intrigue in there too.

Ben and Makayla are FIRE! The hate banter between them was on point, they had me rolling at their pranks and smack talk. The sexual tension and chemistry between Ben and Mak is off the charts hot hot hot! For real the steam is sauna level HIGH. These two are feisty little rabbits**WINK WINK** and I loved it!

Ben is your typical hot grumpy bachelor firefighter, with a killer bod and a penchant for keeping feelings out of his relationships. I absolutely LOVE Ben! Beneath all that bravado is a man that wants to be loved for who he is, and I SO loved him. He’s smart, funny, loyal, protective, caring, and a sexy beast in the bedroom. Another one bites the dust when Ben realizes Mak is the one, he goes all in and turns into a big pile of protective, possessive sexy mush.

Makayla is his perfect match in every sense of the word. She can match Ben diss for diss and hand him his bum on a platter. I loved her snark. When she returns home over a decade later, Mak is tired. She has been through so much and coming face to face with her childhood enemy Ben was not what she expected. Especially since the sparks between them are electrifying amd they fall so spectacularly fast and hard for each other.

I highly recommend reading this bad boy. It’s an awesome ‘feels’ rollercoaster from start to finish. JDH knows how to make you fall in love with beautifully broken characters that bring you to tears, all while, of course, delivering on the laughs and swoony moments.

+ Childhood Enemies to Lovers
+ Stand alone with interconnecting characters from JDs world
+ First Responder
+ Steamy Thrilling RomCom

FAVORITE QUOTES
That kiss, though. I thought I lost the battle the moment his lips crashed against mine. My first thought was to fight him off. But the moment we collided, a spark ignited, so intense, I couldn’t have pulled away if I tried. And I didn’t. I lied, told myself it was all part of the scheme. But on the inside, I craved it, feeling more alive in his arms than I ever have.

We’re locked in a wordless battle, but a spark ignites between us, kindled by vengeance and passion. She may be angry, but I’m fucking furious. Since the day she walked back into my life, everything has been messed up. I’m. Fucking. Done. “You got anything else to say to me, sweetheart?” “I hate you.” “Good. Now that we got that out of the way—” I haul her into me. There’s no pushback. No hesitation. Just anger and passion. I crash my lips to hers.

I’ve never wanted to shove someone and fuck them like a crazed animal against the fire engine like I do right now. Her beautiful catlike eyes cast a spell over me, making it hard to be normal around her—to act like a gentleman when all I want to do is tear her clothes off and make her mine.

I’ve made it this long without attaching myself to a woman, and when I finally do, it’s her. And I can’t let it go. I can’t stop thinking, wondering, hoping, wanting something I’m not sure I can have. Needing something I can’t fathom losing. I wonder if this is how my mom felt about my dad. This pull. This urgency to want, take, own.

“One thing you don’t know about me, sweetheart, is I’m a dirty man. And I like dirty things. Giving up that football may be worth it to see you tied to my bed with a red ball-gag in your mouth while I shove my favorite objects inside your tight cunt. Clamp these nipples.”

“Why are you being so gentle with me?” His lips brush against mine, sucking my bottom one with slight pressure. “Because I don’t want there to be any reason for you to want to stop. And I want to cherish this moment. That’s just us. You and me.”

“Ben, what are we doing here?” He slowly pulls out, then eases back in with such tenderness. “We’re making up for lost time. Rediscovering. Realizing this pull continues to grow harder to deny.”

“What did you do to my friend?” “Oh, Han, it’s more like what did your friend do to me?” I wink at her and allow my girl to drag me wherever the hell she wants.

“I wanna hear it. I want you to finally say the words I’ve been waiting for. What makes you happy, Mak?” He grinds into me slowly, and I can’t hold back any longer. “You,” I breathe. “You make me happy. How, I have no idea. But you have this way about you that makes me feel okay—like everything is going to be okay.”

Speaking of my sweet, grumpy, protective Ben, there’s nothing sexier than seeing a grown man cry. When he lost it in front of me that night in the hospital, it confirmed what I already knew. He is my forever. My savior. The man I’ll spend the rest of my existence loving. He’s the person I’m meant for. Who knew when Ben Wallace came into my life, he would one day bring such intense love and happiness into my world.

I can’t help but chuckle. Once upon a time, I met a boy, and he became my worst enemy. My nemesis. And now, I’m going to spend the rest of my life with him. It’s crazy how life works out.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kindle Unlimited: No
Stand-alone: Yes**
Author: J.D. Hollyfield
Rating: 5/5 ⭐️
Spiciness Rating: 5/5 🌶
POV: First Person Dual Perspective
Main Couple: Ben and Makayla
Trope(s): Enemies To Lovers, ROM-Com

“Get out of your head, Mak. I know you’re searching for any reason to say this is a bad idea.”
“And, how do you know it’s not-ahh…” I exhale sharply as he rears back and slams home.
“Because nothing this mine blowing can be bad. Whatever this is, it’s something I want to explore. I fought this for too long, and I’m done denying us. I know you have doubts. But going forward, we work those out together.”

Enemies With Benefits is the a stand-alone in an interconnected series of best friends, their shenanigans, and finding love. I was hooked from the first pages. I couldn’t get enough of the banter, frenemies vibe, tension, pranks, and all consuming heat that Mak and Ben have going on. Wondering who would break who first. With a slice of suspense and mystery surrounding Mak’s newfound misfortunes. And, Mak finds pushing Ben’s buttons really brings out his dominant side, which I thoroughly enjoyed too. Cause- the smexy is super hot. And, who wouldn’t want a hot, well-endowed, dirty talking alpha who arouses all the feelings wrecking your lady bits in the best of ways?

Makayla Jacobs met, not only her best friend, but her nemesis at the age of 13. A summer filled with escape from her tragic home life ended with her moving away and beyond the grip her father had. Now Sixteen years later she is back in her home town, divorced, jobless, and cleaning up her father’s final mess in life.

Ben Wallace once had NFL dreams. But, the day his father died, so did they. Now following in his father’s footsteps in his hometown, he is living his best fire fighting life, without the support of his mother.

We alternate between that summer and the present.

With Mak back in town, their old rivalry renewed, next level of course, since they are now adults. But, all that tension building has to break sometime. And, when Mak finds herself homeless, Ben makes a play.

[Wendy *cr8zysockbookblock* · Rating 5 out of 5]

LAWD HAVE MERCY! Enemies With Benefits is addictively witty, steamy, and just all around has something for everyone. It’s got drama, angst, it’s deliciously spicy, loads of banter, off the charts chemistry, and some unexpected twists. Did I mention it was hella hot?
I fell for all the guys in this series. Kip, Levi, Chase, all of ‘em. But there is something that really captured my heart about Ben Wallace. 😘 His journey to love with Makayla was EVERYTHING. I am all for sweet and vulnerable moments and we get those. It was cute at times and I absolutely live for playful and witty banter.

BUT… Y’all don’t even get me started on how much I DIE when main characters in an enemies to lovers are in the throes of the battles of wills and revenge on one another. We get plenty of that here. 🤩🥳 I love to see all the many ways an author will play with the back and forth. The games, the build up. It’s hot and engaging. It’s addictive and edgy. One of the best places to see the authors writing personality shine, and boy does she. J. D. Hollyfield is truly one of the best as her banter is top notch. Her scenes never fail to leave me in stitches. In Enemies with Benefits she delivered some of the funniest plots of revenge I’ve read. Filled with LOL moments. 🤣😂

I fell hard and fast for Ben and Makayla’s story. It had off the charts chemistry, a forbidden love vibe to it, and definitely some angst and suspense.
Growing up was not the best experience for Makayla. She was dealing with some pretty heavy stuff. But her one bright light was getting to hang out with her best friend, Hannah. The problem with that was that it meant running into her arch nemesis. AKA, Ben Wallace. Another staple at Hannah’s house because he was best friend’s with Hannah’s older brother, Kip.

My Oh My how these two tormented each other. Although the impression it left on Makayla was much more memorable, and not in the fond ways Ben seemed to remember their interactions. Makayla is beautiful and a total sweetheart and I wanted her to get everything she deserved and more. She was feisty and fearless when it came to getting back at Ben and I LOVED that. Especially because she still carried so much fear and emotional baggage from her past traumas. She made me laugh, she made me smile, but oh how I also hurt when she hurt.

Ben Wallace really is a good guy. But this good guy constantly feels like he’s being punished for mistakes he made in his younger years. I don’t want to give anything away so I will just say my broken boy 🥺 Ben broke my heart as much as he healed it. ♥️ I hated how he was treated at times by the one who should have supported him most. Especially when he was doing what he was for such noble reasons. The journey for these two was not easy, but then inevitable love most often isn't. They both had much to overcome. Would they be able to let go of the past and take a chance on a future together?


Final Thoughts….
My Cr8zysockbookblock Blog Wrap Up~
⭐️⭐⭐⭐⭐OVERALL- This book has it all. It was charming and witty. It was sexy and funny. It had twists and suspenseful turns I didn’t see coming. It kinda had a forbidden feel to it with some hiding and sneaking around. It’s definitely (a personal fav) enemies to lovers, with bully aspects, some secrets and lies tossed in. Let’s not forget our main H is a smokin’ hot firefighter. With an unforgettably amazing cast of characters this story will have you sucked in from start to finish. Entranced by the anger and explosive tension brewing between them they will have you all tied up from chapter one. 😏 I devoured it super fast, running through the gamut of emotions! Check out Ben, Makayla in Enemies with Benefits. You’ll be so glad you did.
🔥🌶🔥🌶🔥HEAT/STEAM-Holy Hot Mouthwatering Makayla and Ben!! Nothing hotter than some good hate smex. A good ‘ol burn and bang. A scorching hot flaming f..Y’all get it!!
⚠️TRIGGERS~ Contains some elements of childhood trauma/abuse that some readers may be sensitive to. Feel free to reach out by DM if you would like more specific details.
🥰 🥰 HEA/CLIFFY🧗‍♀️~ Perfect HEA !

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[mlady_rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know how they say little boys pull the pigtails of girls they like. Well, that’s the vibe here.

The story opens with a drunk Ben trying to hook up with Makayla at the wedding of their friends Levi & Hannah. She recognizes him, but he doesn’t recognize her. After all, the last time they saw each other she was fourteen.

As a child, he teased her mercilessly and she did her best to give it back to him. At best you would call them rivals, at worse he was a bully. Unfortunately, she was already beaten down, being mentally & physically abused by her drunk father. She left school at fourteen to move in with her maternal aunt after her father broke her arm.

So when adult Makayla finds herself faced with her very grown up bully, she plays along with his desires for a wedding hookup. She borrows some handcuffs from the bridal shower goodies, gets him all hot & bothered, then leaves him tied up in his hotel room.

Makayla father’s death brings her back to their home town and back into Ben’s orbit, reuniting when his fire company plays guest speaker for her kindergarten class.

There is also a separate mystery thread. She has a cheating ex-husband who won’t let go and all signs point to him following her when she moves back to her hometown to take care of her late father’s estate. And, yes, I caught onto the bad guy long before the main characters.

Lots of flashbacks in this one, interspersed throughout.

***

“I’ve known Ben since we were kids. … Well, I was thirteen when we met, and he was seventeen. I told you Hannah and I have been friends since we were kids. Well, in junior high, she kind of adopted me. We were inseparable. I was at her house all the time—so were her brother and his friends. That’s how I met Ben.”

“Did you two date or something?”

“Date?” I snicker. “Far from it. We were basically enemies. Did anything and everything to jab at each other any chance we got. We were awful to each other. … Anyway, I moved away just before I turned fourteen, and we kind of reunited when I came back here.”

***

This nonsense has to stop. Pursuing anything with Ben is a no-no. Out of the question. Not happening! And why not? Because it’s crazy! He’s been my nemesis since I was thirteen. He’s hot. I’m nowhere near ready to date. He’s well-endowed. He makes my skin boil. That’s called arousal, girlfriend. He’s probably not even into me. Oh, he’s into you. The way he looks at you. . . he’s more than into you.

[Sarah Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE REVIEW FOR THE BOOK: Enemies with Benefits
GENRE: Contemporary Romance
AUTHOR: J.D. Hollyfield
TROPE: contemporary romance, enemies to lovers, small town, suspense
TYPE: Standalone
MY RATING: 4.5 Stars
POV: Dual POV

Ben and Makayla grew up together. She was 13 and he was 17 when they met in high school. Makayla lived a troubled life with an abusive father. She found refuge with her best friend Hannah where she could escape to her home during her free time. Ben was best friends with Hannah’s older brother. The siblings and their friends were always spending time together at Hannah’s house. Ben and Makayla would always call each other names and do things to tear one another down. Close to Makayla’s 14th birthday, she disappears from Ben’s life.

Fast forward years later, it's Hannah and Levi’s wedding where Ben and Makayla see each other again for the first time. Ben has no idea who this woman he’s set his sights on could be. Makayla sees an opportunity for revenge. The story follows these enemies as they navigate an adult relationship and growing sexual chemistry.

I loved the fact that these two were equally mean towards one another. The story does a great job of flipping back and forth from the present to the past so we get a glimpse at how their adolescent relationship started and ended. These two characters certainly demonstrated enough hate sex to live up to the enemies to lover’s trope.

Overall this was a great story with a lot of darker underlying drama. I enjoyed it immensely.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Misty (Reds Romance Reviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

He is the enemy, the one guy that irritates her to no end and also drives her wild with his devilish charm and good looks. They haven't seen one another in sometime, and she's never forgotten the devil who stole her heart. Back in high school he tormented her on a daily basis and she has never been able to let those feelings go, thinking about it still ticks her off to this day, and now she is about to get a little revenge!

Enemies with Benefits is a wickedly entertaining enemies-to-lovers story that will tease and torment your heart at every turn. It's evident that these two have something special brewing between them, but if you ask them it's only hate. They knew one another back in high school and never really got along, Ben like to push Makayla's buttons every chance he got... but now it's her who has the upper hand. As her sexy tormentor has no idea who she is, and it opens up the opportunity for her to exact a little revenge, the kind that will leave him wanting more.

I loved every single second I spent with these two, the passionate stolen glances, feisty banter, and constant temptation made it impossible to pry my eyes from the pages. They had this constant smoldering build-up to what I hoped to be a smexy explosion... and boy was I right!! These two were fire!! If you like steamy enemies- to-lovers stories I have no doubt this one will hit it's mark, it's packed with everything needed to leave you thoroughly satisfied... and then some!!

I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest and unbiased opinion.