Friends Without Benefits by Penny Reid
Penny Reid is a pretty darn fantastic writer, but Friends Without Benefits suffers from the same problem that once plagued Neanderthal Seeks Human: typos. Other than that, and Elizabeth's frustrating indecisiveness, and the lack of more Janie (and her, uh, personality), this is a solid read.
For a smart woman, Elizabeth turns into an idiot when Nico becomes involved. Although I find it adorable how utterly incapable she is of saying his last name, I want to strangle her every time she goes all icebox on the poor guy. I find her a more well-rounded character than Janie, which is why I also find myself frustrated with her at times. Nico is a dear, and I'm not ashamed to admit I like him better than Quinn aka Sir Handsome McHotPants.
The tropes in this novel are things I usually enjoy, but, whoa, that conclusion is a little too over-the-top for me.
Highlighted:
“Elizabeth used to think, and I’m not so sure whether she still does, that people only have one great love. That you can only fall in love once.”
This proclamation was met with silence and furrowed brows of confusion and incredulity.
“What are you!? A Disney princess?” Ashley’s annoyance powered semi-shout surprised the room. She dropped her knitting to her lap and glared at me, apparently sincerely perturbed by Janie’s revelation. “Get over yourself! We all have to fall in love more than once—even if it’s with the same person.”
“It’s true.” Fiona nodded. “Greg and I fall in and out of love constantly, depending on what time of the month it is, how much sleep I’ve gotten, how the kids are behaving, and whether he’s done the dishes within the last three days.”