Status
Available
Call number
Series
Collection
Publication
Caped Publishing (2014), 424 pages
Description
Fiction. Romance. Humor (Fiction.) HTML: "What I like most about Penny Reid's style is that she seamlessly and (seemingly) effortlessly blends humor, romance, heat, and great character relationships into a story that is light and fun, yet sweet and tender at times too." - Smexy Books There are three things you need to know about Elizabeth Finney: 1) She suffers from severe sarcastic syndrome, especially when she's unnerved, 2) No one unnerves her like Nico Manganiello, and 3) She knows how to knit. Elizabeth Finney is almost always right about everything: the musical merits of boy bands are undervalued by society, "benefits" with human Ken dolls are better without friendship, and the sun has set on her once-in-a-lifetime chance for true love. But when Elizabeth's plans for benefits without friendship are disarmed by the irritatingly charismatic and chauvinistic Nico Manganiello- her former nemesis- she finds herself struggling to maintain the electric fence around her heart while avoiding electrocution or, worse, falling in love. Friends Without Benefits is book #2 in the Knitting in the City series. Each book is a standalone, full length (110k words), contemporary romantic comedy novel, and follows the misadventures and exploits of seven friends in Chicago, all members of the same knitting group..… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member asgwilli
Review to come!
But I will say, that I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The mc could be annoying at times, but the writing (which had me bursting out loud at times) and the plot was superb. At the end of the day, the entertainment value of this book, gets a five star from me.
But I will say, that I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The mc could be annoying at times, but the writing (which had me bursting out loud at times) and the plot was superb. At the end of the day, the entertainment value of this book, gets a five star from me.
LibraryThing member sharonhd
finally a book 2 in a series that exceeds expectations. I really liked Janie and Quinn's book. Elizabeth and Nico was even better. 4.5 read this series now stars!
LibraryThing member BookaholicCat
These books are addictive, like chocolate. They are deliciously sweet and after finishing them they leave you with a smile on your face and feeling good.
I can't wait to read next book in the series.
I can't wait to read next book in the series.
LibraryThing member MyaB
Friends without Benefits by Penny Reid
Narrated by Devra Woodward
Knitting in the city series book 2
5 Stars - The longing and tension between Nico and Elizabeth.. so good. The narrator took a bit for me to get used to as she has a very lazy raspy voice for Nico, but it works and I ended up quite
LOVED when Nico speaks Italian to her. Also, as I am one of those people who loves when bits of other languages are used in the books, but also immediately have to go look up the translation...I loved the fact that I had bought the kindle version along with the audible version because Ms.Reid included the translations of what he said in the written form. - Perfection!
Also she had an “open door" version and a "closed door" version of the same scene, which allowed the reader to choose which version they wanted to read. I listened to both cause it was great each time!
Wonder if Dan the security guard - gets a story. I really liked him. He didn't have a huge part.. but he stuck with me.
~Paragraphs and Petticoats~
Narrated by Devra Woodward
Knitting in the city series book 2
5 Stars - The longing and tension between Nico and Elizabeth.. so good. The narrator took a bit for me to get used to as she has a very lazy raspy voice for Nico, but it works and I ended up quite
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enjoying it. LOVED when Nico speaks Italian to her. Also, as I am one of those people who loves when bits of other languages are used in the books, but also immediately have to go look up the translation...I loved the fact that I had bought the kindle version along with the audible version because Ms.Reid included the translations of what he said in the written form. - Perfection!
Also she had an “open door" version and a "closed door" version of the same scene, which allowed the reader to choose which version they wanted to read. I listened to both cause it was great each time!
Wonder if Dan the security guard - gets a story. I really liked him. He didn't have a huge part.. but he stuck with me.
~Paragraphs and Petticoats~
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LibraryThing member N.W.Moors
Not gonna lie here, after I read the first two books I didn't especially like Elizabeth. She was too caustic for me. I also didn't like the idea of Nico, a crude comedian who wrestles women in bikinis in jello. So, I picked up this book with dread, wondering if it was going to measure up to the
Elizabeth is actually a big nougaty mess under her shell, and Nico is just adorable though I'm still not sure about the jello wrestling. The two have known each other since the cradle; Nico teased and bullied Elizabeth all through grade school in the fashion of little boys who don't know how else to attract the girl they like. Meanwhile, Elizabeth was oblivious, dating Nico's best friend and trying to ignore him. Ten years later, there's a lot of misunderstandings as well as crazy stalkers, a big Italian family, and the knitting group to help bring everything together for a HEA (if you read the 1.5 book in the series, you already know this, but this book tells you how they get there).
By the end of the book, I adored both Elizabeth and Nico. There are some poignant moments as well as laugh-out-loud situations (which I badly need right now). It's lovely writing. I can't believe I haven't read Ms. Reid before, but definitely continuing with the series.
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first two books in the series.Elizabeth is actually a big nougaty mess under her shell, and Nico is just adorable though I'm still not sure about the jello wrestling. The two have known each other since the cradle; Nico teased and bullied Elizabeth all through grade school in the fashion of little boys who don't know how else to attract the girl they like. Meanwhile, Elizabeth was oblivious, dating Nico's best friend and trying to ignore him. Ten years later, there's a lot of misunderstandings as well as crazy stalkers, a big Italian family, and the knitting group to help bring everything together for a HEA (if you read the 1.5 book in the series, you already know this, but this book tells you how they get there).
By the end of the book, I adored both Elizabeth and Nico. There are some poignant moments as well as laugh-out-loud situations (which I badly need right now). It's lovely writing. I can't believe I haven't read Ms. Reid before, but definitely continuing with the series.
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LibraryThing member StefanieGeeks
I found this installment to the Knitting in the City series as enjoyable as the first (Neanderthal Seeks Human). I adored Nico and his family as much as I enjoy reading about the female friendships in these stories. These can totally be read as standalones if a particular character's backstory
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interests you more (Elizabeth is a doctor and Nico is a comedian). Show Less
LibraryThing member TheYodamom
Quickly-Hot Italian comedic hunk, struggles with desire for his life time love (Dr.Wanna Becoldass) who loved someone else and has closed her heart.
Elizabeth- I liked the fact that the female lead was not a ditty blond but an accomplished self-made Dr. She is suffering from a pain so deep her life
Nico- Italian mega hunk, ex underwear model and current TV star. He was childhood friends with Elizebeth, we he tortured her like any little boy does when he likes a girl. He stood by and watched her fall for another boy, held her when that boy died and loved her for the first time. He has naked gorgeous women throwing themselves at him, and it makes hard to try to reconnect with this girl. She walked out on him like she did all her "men" without another word after one night when they were 17. Now he's taking care of his sick niece, and demands she be their Dr. His mother is all for this, and plays one funny matchmaker. He cooks nearly naked, speaks Italian, successful, is tall dark and handsome, yeh everyone wants him. His mind is set on one girl, but he finds his one may not happen.
Power read last night. This one started out strong, then slowed towards the middle and then raced me through the last quarter of the story. This is not a little short story it is a full length novel. I really liked Nico, he was sucker punched by Elizebeth and still kept his cool. His family were the perfect mix of everything and lots of fun. Elizebeth, was a difficult character to like. She needed therapy years ago to recover from her issues. I really liked her ability to stand up bush her butt off and move on. I just found her constant self questioning and cold as stone attitude to be irritating. It was semi predictable, when is a romance not ? I liked it, not loved it. I would read this authors work again.
Elizabeth- I liked the fact that the female lead was not a ditty blond but an accomplished self-made Dr. She is suffering from a pain so deep her life
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revolves around the scar. She stays away distant, uses people till they get close then she walks away. She gave herself to Nico, years ago and regrets it and is devastated when she is trapped into working near him treating his ill niece. This begins her amazing rant and crazy ass process of avoiding having a conversation about what happened. Her character lost me for a bit here. She was outspoken honest and blurted out very personal information to co workers and friends but couldn't talk to her "friend". This was a guy she had known her whole life. I found it irritating how she acted and out of character. Okay I must be fair it was explained by her juvenile heartbreak and horrible childhood experience. Meh, it was over played IMHO. I liked her nerdy love of Start Wars and her references to lines form the movies. I loved her knitting club, what a bunch of quirky nutty drunken fun women. I finished the book thinking I may want to learn to knit. Nico- Italian mega hunk, ex underwear model and current TV star. He was childhood friends with Elizebeth, we he tortured her like any little boy does when he likes a girl. He stood by and watched her fall for another boy, held her when that boy died and loved her for the first time. He has naked gorgeous women throwing themselves at him, and it makes hard to try to reconnect with this girl. She walked out on him like she did all her "men" without another word after one night when they were 17. Now he's taking care of his sick niece, and demands she be their Dr. His mother is all for this, and plays one funny matchmaker. He cooks nearly naked, speaks Italian, successful, is tall dark and handsome, yeh everyone wants him. His mind is set on one girl, but he finds his one may not happen.
Power read last night. This one started out strong, then slowed towards the middle and then raced me through the last quarter of the story. This is not a little short story it is a full length novel. I really liked Nico, he was sucker punched by Elizebeth and still kept his cool. His family were the perfect mix of everything and lots of fun. Elizebeth, was a difficult character to like. She needed therapy years ago to recover from her issues. I really liked her ability to stand up bush her butt off and move on. I just found her constant self questioning and cold as stone attitude to be irritating. It was semi predictable, when is a romance not ? I liked it, not loved it. I would read this authors work again.
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LibraryThing member JulesGDSide
Great read/Reid! I liked Nico and Elizabeth's story.
LibraryThing member JulesGDSide
Great read/Reid! I liked Nico and Elizabeth's story.
LibraryThing member nicole_a_davis
Read the first three books of this series (#1, #1.5, and #2) straight in a row. The first were a fun romp but this one did not have as much charm. The antagonistic relationship between Elizabeth and Nico resulted in a lot of arguments which weren't as fun to read. It did finally dawn on me with
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this book, though, that Janie and Elizabeth were (loosely) based on the characters from Pride and Prejudice. Show Less
LibraryThing member Lauren2013
Friends Without Benefits
2 Stars
Dr. Elizabeth Finney is convinced that her only chance at true love is long since gone. As such, all that interests her is the "benefits" without the irritation of friendship or relationships. But all of Elizabeth's plans are obliterated when her childhood nemesis,
Unfortunately, this is an exceedingly disappointing sequel to Neanderthal Meets Human. Elizabeth is one of the most unlikeable heroines I have ever encountered. She is shallow, selfish, and self-absorbed. There is one moment around the halfway mark that is completely inexcusable. It is clear at this point that she and Nico are entering into a romantic relationship yetshe still agrees to no strings sex with a colleague. While she doesn't actually cheat, her intent to do so is there. .
Nico on the other hand is sexy, charming, and intriguing. His backstory with Elizabeth has such tremendous potential, but her awfulness ruins any possibility of an entertaining second chances romance, and his attraction to and affection for her is completely incomprehensible.
The minor suspense plot involving a stalker adds some tension and suspense, but that cannot compensate for the lackluster romance.
A final note on Devra Woodward's narration of the audiobook, which is very good in terms of tone and intonation. Nevertheless, her choice of accent for Nico is unclear. He is a US-born Italian-American raised in Iowa, so why has Woodward used an Italian accent for him? Does she think it will make him sexier? Newsflash - it doesn't!
In sum, not a good sequel. That said, the other members of the knitting circle are endearing and Reid's writing is well-paced and entertaining. As such, I will continue with the series.
2 Stars
Dr. Elizabeth Finney is convinced that her only chance at true love is long since gone. As such, all that interests her is the "benefits" without the irritation of friendship or relationships. But all of Elizabeth's plans are obliterated when her childhood nemesis,
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Nico Manganiello, reappears in her life. Unfortunately, this is an exceedingly disappointing sequel to Neanderthal Meets Human. Elizabeth is one of the most unlikeable heroines I have ever encountered. She is shallow, selfish, and self-absorbed. There is one moment around the halfway mark that is completely inexcusable. It is clear at this point that she and Nico are entering into a romantic relationship yet
Nico on the other hand is sexy, charming, and intriguing. His backstory with Elizabeth has such tremendous potential, but her awfulness ruins any possibility of an entertaining second chances romance, and his attraction to and affection for her is completely incomprehensible.
The minor suspense plot involving a stalker adds some tension and suspense, but that cannot compensate for the lackluster romance.
A final note on Devra Woodward's narration of the audiobook, which is very good in terms of tone and intonation. Nevertheless, her choice of accent for Nico is unclear. He is a US-born Italian-American raised in Iowa, so why has Woodward used an Italian accent for him? Does she think it will make him sexier? Newsflash - it doesn't!
In sum, not a good sequel. That said, the other members of the knitting circle are endearing and Reid's writing is well-paced and entertaining. As such, I will continue with the series.
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LibraryThing member StarKnits
So I enjoyed this book. I hit a roadblock for a bit bc I was annoyed by the non communication but I finished and was happy with the end.
I'd like to hear more His POV actually.
I'd like to hear more His POV actually.
Language
Original publication date
2014-06-13
Local notes
Elizabeth Finney is almost always right about everything: the musical merits of boy bands are undervalued by society, “benefits” with human Ken dolls are better without friendship, and the sun has set on her once-in-a-lifetime chance for true love. But when Elizabeth’s plans for benefits without friendship are disarmed by the irritatingly charismatic and chauvinistic Nico Manganiello- her former nemesis- she finds herself struggling to maintain the electric fence around her heart while avoiding electrocution or, worse, falling in love.
Cute, nerdy fun romance.
Cute, nerdy fun romance.