Series Review: Beta Brothers by Hazel Kelly

Series Review: Is this series worth your time? Does it get better as the novels progress? Or does it get worse? Find out below:

Synopsis for Friends with Benefits (from Goodreads):

Carter’s been crazy about Nina since the first time he saw her emerald eyes, but his fratastic reputation landed him in the friend zone before he even had a chance to say, “How you doin’?”

So when Nina suggests they become friends with benefits, he can’t believe his luck.

After all, once he’s gotten in her pants, winning her heart should be easy… right?

Series: Beta Brothers
Author: Hazel Kelly
# of Books: 4 (Full Reading Order Here)
Book Order: Connected
Complete?: No, Book #4 to be released July 2019
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Heat Rating: Toasty
Point of View: First Person, Alternating
Publication Dates: June 2018 – ongoing
Source & Format: Author–eARC

Disclaimer: I have not read the first book in the series, My Best Friend’s Ex (#1). This is only a review of Friends with Benefits (#2). I’ve also updated this review to include my thoughts on Book #3, Professor with Benefits.

Why I Picked it Up / My Expectations:

I’m a sucker for a friends with benefits type of situation in books. The main reason is the palpable sexual tension because love is almost always inevitable. So while I hadn’t read the first book in the series, when Hazel asked me to read Friends with Benefits (which you can totally read as a standalone!) I leapt at the chance!

The Plot:

For the most part, the plot focuses on these two fighting their feelings for each other while keeping their relationship secret from their friends. We don’t delve too deep into their character stories or backgrounds, which does give this story a lighter feel to it. With the exception of one particular scene, we shy away from the petty and over the top drama that often accompanies these books so I found that to be rather refreshing.

The Characters:

It took me a few chapters to get used to our leads. They’re a little on the quirkier side of things so the humour wasn’t overly apparent to me (but I struggle with comedy in novels I read vs listen to). But once I got a feel for them, I started to enjoy their comments and styles. They do make for a fun pair to follow.

I also thought they lacked some maturity at the start of the novel but they matured as the story (and their relationship) progressed which made me happy.

As I said above, the character development could have been stronger by elaborating more on their backstories. However, I think the primary goal of this novel is to focus on the lighter side of love and looking to the future so I didn’t mind. I saw growth in their maturity and that worked for me.

The Romance:

These two have great chemistry from the start. I liked the fact that it was Nina who set all the rules for the relationship and not Carter (like it often is in books). It was nice to get that reversal on the usual approach to this trope.

–June 20, 2019– Book #3: Professor with Benefits

**DNF’d at 16% (Start of Chapter 11)**

This one just wasn’t for me. I struggle with quirky characters and the comedy they produce in books and this is one of those prime examples where I am just not feeling it. These two are a little odd–which is great–but it was off-putting instead of charming for me.

In turn, that caused me to not feel the chemistry and tension between them. And that’s what I crave in a forbidden romance! I want the heat and sexiness to be overflowing…and that wasn’t happening. Things felt a little forced and perhaps a little rushed as well.

It was the line: “Your legs look wow in that skirt” that sealed the DNF deal for me. Nothing sexy or charming about that.