Friday, June 11, 2021

Review: Friends With Benedicts

Staci Hart
Published June 8, 2021
Timing is everything.

Presley Hale and Sebastian Vargas are no strangers to goodbye. Their high school summers were spent wrapped up in each other until she would inevitably go home to California. One season after college, Sebastian finally escaped the little Texas town to travel the world, and they said goodbye for what they thought might be the last time.  Sebastian went one way. Presley went the other.

For the first time in five years, they’re both in town, but the timing is no better than ever. So the only thing to do is what they do best. Keep it casual.

Friends with benefits.

They’ve done it before—doing it again will be easy.

But their hearts don’t get the memo.

When the lines of their arrangement blur, Presley and Sebastian are faced with decisions they’ve avoided for years. And that’s not even their biggest problem.
 
A small town in danger of failing.

A secret that could tear them apart.

And two hearts that can’t hide anymore.

They’ve shared so many summers, but none compare to what they’ll face.

Timing is everything.
 
And their time is almost up. - from Goodreads
Thank you to the author for providing me with a complimentary ARC of this book.  All thoughts are my own.
 
Presley and Sebastian spent summers together for years when she returned to his small Texas town to visit her family but haven't seen in each other in awhile.  Now, she's back in town and eager to reconnect, but a secret she's held onto for years could derail everything.

I loved Sebastian and Presley - Presley is so good-hearted and positive, and Sebastian is a good mix of serious and silly.  The chemistry between them leapt off the pages - you could tell each wanted to make their "friends with benefits" situation more permanent, but both worried the other one wouldn't want it.  The miscommunication was a little frustrating, but they did explain themselves well.  After Presley revealed her secret to Sebastian, it made me root for them even more.

A fun cast of supporting characters surround Presley and Sebastian; they're fleshed out enough so that I felt invested in them, but they also never felt like they were overpowering the story.  They added just enough!  Hart does a great job of creating the small-town atmosphere, where everyone knows each other and their business!  There's an additional storyline where the town's small businesses are being threatened by the possible arrival of a big box store, and it was great to see everyone come together and fight.

I always love Staci Hart's stories, and this was no exception.  I breezed through this story in just a couple days and it was exactly what I needed at the time.  A sweet romance, with some steamy scenes and just enough drama to keep things interesting!
 
4 stars

18 comments:

  1. At first I didn't realize this is a Staci Hart book and then I was happily surprised because I love her. 😅

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  2. I still haven't read anything by Staci Hart even though several of her books have caught my eye. This one sounds so cute! I love good chemistry and it sounds like Presley and Sebastian have that.

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    1. They definitely did - I loved the way they were able to pick back up as if no time had passed.

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  3. I love a good small-town romance, and a great supporting cast is the cherry on top

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  4. I adore Staci Hart and her books never disappoint - I will have to make time for this one soon!

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  5. Sounds fun, and I love it when supporting characters are great!

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  6. I love the sound of this,! Presley and Sebastiansound like fantastic characters on their own and together - but the small town vibe and the story around the box store make it all sound better 🙂

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  7. I've not tried one of Hart's books yet but with the small town setting, great cast of supporting characters, and some drama to keep things interesting, this one sounds like one I'd love. :)

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    1. I hope you love it if you decide to read it, Suzanne!

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  8. Love a good small town romance with a great cast of supporting characters! This sounds like a fun read, glad to hear you enjoyed it!

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  9. I have to say you wasted no time to read another one of her books! 😁 I still have to read Bet the Farm. Friends with Benedicts has small towns so I am instantly intrigued. It looks like their is a diner involved and I love food related books too. Happy you enjoyed it so much. I will have to try her books soon.

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    1. Haha, I love her books and I was lucky enough to get an ARC, so I was all over it!

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I'm so glad you stopped by, and I would love to hear your thoughts! Comments are always greatly appreciated!