Lily Gold

Faking with Benefits

WANTED: Three fake boyfriends. Must be tall, ripped — and willing to teach me how to kiss.

My name is Layla Thompson, and I am undateable.
Seriously. I’m twenty-eight and I’ve never had a boyfriend. And with my thirties rapidly approaching, I’m starting to lose patience.

Lucky for me, I have three overprotective best friends who are all-too-eager to help hone my dating skills.
There’s Zack, the huge rugby player with the cheeky grin and rippling biceps.
Josh, the boy-next-door with the sculpted jaw and calculating stare.
And Luke, the silver-haired divorcee… who also happens to be my old professor.

After a bad date leaves me crying on their shoulders, the three men are determined to help me find a guy. Together, they agree to be my ‘practice boyfriends’, and come up with a lesson plan packed with fake dates, make out sessions, and classes on flirty texting. In return, I just have to make an appearance on their relationship advice podcast once a week. Easy.

But as my lessons become more and more intense, we soon find ourselves getting in too deep. Every stomach-fluttering touch lingers a little too long, and every molten kiss ends in fireworks. It’s not long before I realise that their friendship isn’t enough for me anymore. I want more.

The guys have been teaching me how to get a boyfriend, and now it’s time I put their lessons to the test.

Three times over.

Faking With Benefits is a sizzling fake dating romance featuring multiple love interests, tons of molten fake relationship heat, and a whole lot of heart. No cheating, and an ultra-sweet HEA guaranteed!

A Friends to Lovers Reverse Harem Romance

Charlotte 

"Ooh. A rich man. Maybe I should go and flirt with him instead." 

He stiffens, his hand still on my throat. "Don't. I'll end the night in a jail cell." 

Mary Carmona

“What do you need? Luke will get it.” 

      “Get what? A catheter? I need to pee, for Christ’s sake.”

      He pats my knee. “You can do it here, I don’t mind.”

      He heaves a massive sigh and lets me go. “Fine. I’ll miss you.” 

      I stand and shuffle along to the other side of the sofa, plopping myself down on Josh’s lap. His arms come to wrap around me immediately, and he buries his face in my hair, breathing deep. On my left, Luke takes my hand. 

      Zack makes an outraged noise and scoots closer on my other side. “You little liar.”

      “You need to learn to share. You’ve had me for ages.” I kiss Josh’s cheek. “He looked sad.” 

“I don’t think anyone has ever loved me that much. I look down at the phone in my sweaty hand. Before I can talk myself out of it, I tap out a quick tweet and hit send. 

        @threesingleguys I’m listening 

      Immediately, my notifications go crazy. Likes and retweets start pouring in. I blink in shock, watching the numbers skyrocket to one hundred, two hundred, three hundred…  

      I suddenly notice that the guys have stopped talking. There’s a few seconds of completely dead air. Then: 

      “Layla. Please come home,” Josh says, his voice soft as he talks directly into the mic. “Please.” ”

“And then she came, and took me to her flat, and just held me. There was no hesitation. No holding back. She just instinctively knew what I needed and did it for me.

      I don’t want you to be alone right now. 

      Ever since then, I can’t even look at her without my heart clenching in my chest. Every room she walks into seems brighter. The sky seems bluer. I can’t get her out of my head.

      I’ve never been in love. I don’t know what it feels like. But I wouldn’t be surprised if it felt like this.”

“we just lie together in the quiet, dim room. Eventually, he falls asleep, his body finally relaxing underneath mine. It’s way too early for me to sleep, but I just arrange him a bit more comfortably, watching over him as the sun sets outside the window. My heart feels like it’s bursting.”

“His gaze flickers. “What do you want?” 

      I run my fingers through his thick hair. “I want you. I want to see you happy, and proud, and sad, and tired. I want your low moments, as well as your high ones. I want all of you. I want as much of you as you’ll give me.”

“You,” I say. “I need you. Here. Now. Yes.” His chest shakes with silent laughter, and I huff. “Yes. Stay. Please. And stop laughing at me.” 

      My heart glows in my chest. I kick his ankle under the sheets. “I’m not cute. I’m terrifying.” 

      “Mmhm.” He wraps his arms tighter around me and pulls me flush against him, so we’re spooning. ”

“I sputter on my beer. “Like, as your…”

      “Date, yeah.” She leans against me, amusement glinting in her eyes. “I’m really big on reducing carbon emissions. It would save petrol.”

      “My car’s electric,” I manage. 

      She rolls her eyes. “That’s the nerdiest way I’ve ever been turned down. And I’ve been turned down a lot, as you well know.”

“Zack, since you apparently know the most about women’s clothing, how would you describe the overall look of the design? 

ZACK: Dunno, lass. It’s pretty, but it’s hard to review clothes without seeing them on someone. 

LAYLA: Okay, hang on. I’m wearing one right now. (Muffled sound of clothing) What do you think? 

ZACK: This is the best day of my effing life. 

ZACK: Um. Yeah. Your tits look huge. Five stars. Would recommend. 

ZACK: Please tell me you’re wearing them. 

JOSH: (speaking quickly) Use the code THREESINGLEGUYS for twenty percent off. Terms and conditions apply. The full collection launches August 1st. Layla, for the love of God, please put your shirt back on before Zack’s drool breaks the equipment.”

“ZACK: And remember, when they don’t like you, it says nothin’ about you as a person. You just don’t have chemistry. Unlike me and Layla, who cannot be in a room together for longer than five minutes without causing a fire.

        LUKE: Because you’re… arsonists?

        ZACK: Because we have a spark. Duh.”

“He lowers his hand. “That’s up to you,” he says quietly. “This is only our first date, right?” His eyes meet mine, hot and dark. “If you were mine, I’d want you all to myself.” 

      My stomach drops like I’m on a rollercoaster. I open my mouth to respond — and my mind goes completely blank.”

My cover was a different one so i didn't even realize it was why choose and i'm not sure if it was the writing style or the premise of the book or both but I barely finished it because it was so random at times

Sophia

It was fine, nothing to special or crazy. A simple summer read for me. Not my favorite from this author 

Emma Kamer

This was... unnecessarily long. The 2nd half shouldn't have been there; it was just smut. Which isn't a bad thing in itself buuut if you're gonna tell me it's PLOT with smut then I expect the plot to be decent at least... which it wasn't. The chemistry just wasn't there for me.

So read this if you want to read it for the smut (and it isn't the BEST really) then go right ahead.

Tsu 💙

This was... unnecessarily long. The 2nd half shouldn't have been there; it was just smut. Which isn't a bad thing in itself buuut if you're gonna tell me it's PLOT with smut then I expect the plot to be decent at least... which it wasn't. The chemistry just wasn't there for me.

So read this if you want to read it for the smut (and it isn't the BEST really) then go right ahead.

i'm so glad i read this one last out of all this authors books so i could appreciate all the cameos from the other fmcs. i loved layla and the boys. especially the groveling, sensational. can't wait for the next book from her 😁

Sidney Schaffner

Was not a big fan of this one. I love A reverse harem, but some thing about this book did not do it for me.

Nialani Thompson

This book was super good! It took me a while to finish, though, and I do believe it could’ve been shortened like 100 pages, but it was so great! I’ve never read a cutesie, wholesome, heartfelt reverse harem and I absolutely adored it. I love how Zack, Josh, and Luke were so different from each other and how they all had their ways of falling in love with Layla and their relationship dynamic. I wouldn’t have minded the guys partaking in each other but I like that they all focused on Layla. The conflict broke my heart I wanted to cry, I do wish there was a bit more groveling, especially after everything online but it was cute and lovely. I wish we got a baby (or babies) epilogue but I can’t imagine it just fine and am happy with how it ended!

My name is Layla Thompson, and I am undateable. Seriously. I’m twenty-eight and I’ve never had a boyfriend. And with my thirties rapidly approaching, I’m starting to lose patience. Lucky for me, I have three overprotective best friends who are all-too-eager to help hone my dating skills. There’s Zack, the huge rugby player with the cheeky grin and rippling biceps. osh, the boy-next-door with the sculpted jaw and calculating stare. And Luke, the silver-haired divorcee, who also happens to be my old professor. After a bad date leaves me crying on their shoulders, the three men are determined to help me find a guy. Together, they agree to be my ‘practice boyfriends’, and come up with a lesson plan packed with fake dates, make out sessions, and classes on flirty texting. In return, I just have to make an appearance on their relationship advice podcast once a week. Easy.But as my lessons become more and more intense, we soon find ourselves getting in too deep. Every stomach-fluttering touch lingers a little too long, and every molten kiss ends in fireworks. It’s not long before I realise that their friendship isn’t enough for me anymore. I want more. The guys have been teaching me how to get a boyfriend, and now it’s time I put their lessons to the test. Three times over.

Maria Schindler

This is probably one of my favorite books this year. The smut was amazing the chemistry was amazing and the sad parts were also amazing.

Brooklyn

Meghan Thompson 

4.5 ⭐️ 
I'm ngl i enjoyed this a lot more that I needed to. friends to lovers is my all time fav trope and this embodied it so well. 
imagine falling in love with three of your best friends?!? MY DREAM 

layla and I...we see each other..girl pop has a hard time with love because she wants to control everything and honestly girl me too i get it and understand. but she was able to break down her walls because each guy was patient with her and encouraged her to take her time. 

each of the guys i loved but my heart will solely hold a special place for Joshua Tran. this man was in love with her for YEARS and agreed to help her bcs : 
1. it was the closest thing he could have to having he 
2. HE WANTED TO PUT HER WELL BEING OVER HIS
and for that I love him. 

overall this book was an absolute riot and absolutely hilarious to read. i giggled, i swooned, and had the time of my life.

This one just wasn't for me. Zack was not it and Luke was eh. Josh wasn't much better but definitely the best out of all three. There was no reason for that third act break up to turn out the way it did. I wanted more groveling tbh because like wtf... It kinda pissed me off. THE GASLIGHTING in this OH MY GOSH ! Anyway, there were a few sweet and funny moments. Not gonna lie, Zack was kinda funny though. And the ending wasn't so bad

RacquelElizabeth

Enna Burton

It took my so long to read cos I have been in such a bad slump but ong I freaking loved this so much

Faith Kitowski

my mind is blown. how can all three of them be perfect? LET ALONE ALL BE DIFFERENT. i loved that about this book, that it wasn’t just three guys that are the same type of person. i was not prepared for the emotional aspect of this book though. also, i didn’t think about how it was be x3 as bad when the third act came around since there is three of them. but the ending was SO GOOD. is it acceptable to reread it again so soon even though i LITERALLY just finished it? it’s sad to think that i’ll never read this book again for the first time… anyway, definitely gonna read more of lily gold’s books!

Mary

Not used to the reverse harem but the 🌶️ was amazing 🤭 slay

Personally, after the wedding (1st one) I wouldn't go anywhere near Luke and Zack. 

There, I said what I said. I hate them so much and I personally think she forgave them too soon. Yes, they were struggling. Yes they were grieving but dear God they treated her horribly in that moment. 

I am team Josh. Before y'all say anything, I was ALL for the poly relationship until 2/3 treated her like shit. Josh didn't need to grovel. He did notbing wrong. And if you think he did, you're fucking wrong. 

I personally think Josh was the ONLY one who loved her deeply and I feel like she should've stuck to just him. 

Personally (yes, my opinion big fucking whoop), Zack and Luke did something so incredibly vile I wouldn't even think about them as anything after that. But she did. Which is why she definitely has a bigger heart then me. And is also why I'm giving this book a pretty low rating lol. 

1.5 star for Josh. 0.5 star for Layla. 1 star for the smut. It was amazing. Shame I hated them after that wedding. 

Keira 💫

Personally, after the wedding (1st one) I wouldn't go anywhere near Luke and Zack. 

There, I said what I said. I hate them so much and I personally think she forgave them too soon. Yes, they were struggling. Yes they were grieving but dear God they treated her horribly in that moment. 

I am team Josh. Before y'all say anything, I was ALL for the poly relationship until 2/3 treated her like shit. Josh didn't need to grovel. He did notbing wrong. And if you think he did, you're fucking wrong. 

I personally think Josh was the ONLY one who loved her deeply and I feel like she should've stuck to just him. 

Personally (yes, my opinion big fucking whoop), Zack and Luke did something so incredibly vile I wouldn't even think about them as anything after that. But she did. Which is why she definitely has a bigger heart then me. And is also why I'm giving this book a pretty low rating lol. 

1.5 star for Josh. 0.5 star for Layla. 1 star for the smut. It was amazing. Shame I hated them after that wedding. 

This is a re read for me, and I love the way these books are just fun, silly romances with men that are obsessed with the main love interest.

Lyndsy Argento

jupiter

jocular and a little unserious but slightly camp

Jess Griffin

it was a 5 star but i deducted a star because she forgave them too quickly 😋 THEY SHOULD’VE GROVELLED A LOT MORE.

like if i was treated the way they treated layla i would’ve never forgiven them so she’s better than me x

Abbie 

i really wanted to give the full five stars but something about the writing of this book convinced me the author has never set foot in england

Sara Gómez 

blueestar

Flew through this book while quarantining with covid. Reverse harem romance between a young fashion designer and her three neighbors across the hall that run a dating podcast. It's also very British. Reminds me of a good season of Love Island or another dating show but erotic.

Faking with Benefits

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