| Title | : | Leftovers With Benefits |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 246 |
| Publication | : | First published January 11, 2019 |
One cheating husband’s wife is another man’s treasure.
It’s the beginning of autumn when Kenya Hamilton’s husband decides to break the news to his wife that he’s been unhappy in their marriage and wants to leave. Meanwhile, at insurance adjustor Kevin Hayes’s house, his wife Lindsey unexpectedly leaves him for Cecil Hamilton, a black man, and fellow U.S. Marine. After his car is mistakenly vandalized, Kevin tracks down the perpetrator who happens to be Kenya, the other man’s wife. Kevin finds an unexpected source of solace in Kenya, and eventually sparks fly between the two. But, a suprise pregnancy will complicate the situation even further.
Leftovers With Benefits Reviews
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I wrote this book in service of both black women and white men, both groups who suffer from "bad press" you could say, for the way they are portrayed romantically. Black women portrayed as insufferable, high in attitude, intimidating, etc. etc. White men portrayed as being pushovers, too accommodating romantically to their partners, etc. etc. And I wanted to create a story, not to erase those qualities that people have come to associate with each group, but to show that those qualities have some truth to them, not to mention merit, make perfect sense within the right context, and can actually work well together. There are a few things I wanted to dispell, however, namely the argument that black women have less femininity that white women and/or that black men have more masculinity than white men. I also wanted to convey how these natural instincts can be inhibited by unhealthy patterns in a relationship. Anyway, blah blah. I'm absolutely thrilled with the reception this book has gotten, and I'm glad that it is resonating with so many different types of readers, which of course is always the goal. I love how the relationship develops between these two, and it has definitely influenced how I approach my character development of future stories!
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Oorah!
I started reading LWB at 10:30pm and finished at 6:30am. I had to know what happened with Kevin and Kenya. Drama, Comedy, and hot sexy scenes make for a wonderful romance. I hope this is the beginning of a new series! -
This hero was a far cry from the escapism romance I sometimes prefer and definitely not fantasy material if you're into that sort of thing. He was average and too nice as evidenced by his behavior toward his cheating wife. There aren't too many men that would walk away from a situation where their wife is hugged up on the couch with another man, in their home. I admired the heroes strength to turn the other cheek, seemingly without much effort on his part. Overall, some elements of the story were different and refreshing and I enjoyed reading it. Recommended: Read It!
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🎁 FREE on Amazon today (4/21/2019)! 🎁
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Surprised
When I read the details of the book I was like it’s not going to be good, but I tried it anyway. The start of the book was a little slow but in the end it pulled together very nicely.
The main characters of the book you saw personal growth and that’s what I like for all my characters to have. In the end the book was good read.
Happy Reading. -
My first book by this author and it wasn’t too bad. I did enjoy the plot. I do have to say, Kenya was a turn off for me. Her attitude was annoying. I hate that she brought up Kevin being white during the first half of the book. Ok, we get it. You’re not around many white people. I will admit, as a black woman, I fully understand how it feels for your black husband/boyfriend to leave you for a white woman. However, there was a part in the book where Cecil said he couldn’t get a loving word out of Kenya when his sister died. After getting an idea of her character, I believed that. She’s judgmental like her mother.
Kevin, well, to me, he’s a bit on the sensitive side. I didn’t like that he was so forgiving, naive and how he would beg a woman, who didn’t want to stay, stay. I do like that he started to grow more confident in about 70% of the book.
I felt that they were both on different pages when it came to their relationship. Even after they “made up” (🙄). As always, Kevin wore his heart on his sleeve. He fell too fast for Kenya. I fully understand Kenya wanting to trust her instinct, but she was callus to me. Her self esteem was shot and I felt like she should have taken care of herself instead of running to sex as a means to get over someone or heal.
Kenya pretty much turned into Kevin, emotion wise, by the end of the book. She forgave Kevin way too easily. Especially when 2 men left her for the same woman.
3.5 stars -
Dont read this book before bed
Let see...it is 3am. I foolishly assumed that I would start this book, maybe get a chapter or two in and then go to sleep. Obviously, I was unable to do this. I was hooked on this book from beginning to end. I loved Kevin and Kenya and rejoiced in the happy ending. They deserved true love and happiness and I am so glad they found it. I will definitely read this book again. -
“You restored my humanity. You restored my passion.”
A great weekend read that was beyond adorable! it's a pull-at-your-heart romance that takes you on the ups and downs of Kevin and Kenya's intertwining journey. All the feels and dram this story gave was such a page-turner. It definitely deserves a nice cup of coffee and those damn addicting Beignets from Popeyes while you snuggle up with a blanket and read this book.
Happy Reading friends!
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I devoured this book from start to finish. I am a big fan of CL Donley and this is just another amazing creation by her.
Kevin and Kenya were the most unlikely couple, and met in the most unideal way possible. However the chemistry and attraction they had was scorching! Together they found a balance within each other that matched. Kenya was outspoken, independent, intelligent, and immensely loyal. She was a very strong woman and unfortunately was surrounded by a lot of people who could not handle her Alpha female personality. Kevin was loyal, sweet, honest, a bit off the wall, and very much a gentleman.
When their spouses leave them for each other they officially meet when Kenya keys his car believing it to be his wife's in a fit of rage. Kevin being lonely and believing Kenya to be someone to understands what he is going through kindles an unlikely friendship with Kenya.
What starts as friendly turns to intense and fiery When they begin to explore this newfound relationship the unthinkable happens and difficult choices are to be made...
I rooted for this couple to get their HEA. Both were manipulated and underappreciated by their partners when they had soo much to give. Together they find strength and happiness that can only be defined by their love. This book had me laughing, crying, smiling, and purely excited for this couple. CL Donley crafted this amazing book, and I cannot wait to relive it again. -
4.5 stars, an enjoyable read. The story is not too short and is not long dragging. Thank god, the duration of waiting for the hero to have a balls in realising his wife is a fraud is only for a few pages(it seems fast paced😅) . I find the hero is naive n pure hearted. I couldn't cuss him out but felt sad for him.And the heroin is the real badass in this story although she had her moment but she overcome it. Overall, will recommended this book to everyone.
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Effectual wit requires cogent intelligence and C.L. Donley has it in spades!
Elegant prose, painstaking attention to detail and the bandwidth to spin a tale with passionate highs and gutting lows made Leftovers with Benefits a "couldn't put down" read for me.
I loved just about every character and his/her backstory. The walking stereotypes that were Kenya and Kevin were both grating and profound, yet the tenderness and sensitivity that they unearthed in one another in the continued face of betrayal had you rooting for them loudly. Their aggression, passivity, vile and amorous nature made them human. They were each complicated, lovable, awful, redeemable and ridiculous. I'd venture that this was equally true for the loathsome ancillary characters as well.
This was a clever spin on the "one man's trash..." trope and the sensitive subject matter centering around military to civilian transitions, PTSD and emotional abuse weren't broad-stroked views, but perspectives crafted with great care and detail.
Like a fool, I began this book at bedtime for a little "light" reading, yet found myself emoting all night long. I snickered, I cackled (loudly) and I cried openly. You'll easily be drawn in by a pair that you want the best for, yet realize that like all of us, they have to want it for themselves first.
Lastly, and on a completely (un)related note, those scenes where Kenya was helping Kevin with his coping exercises!? Laddamercy. I was riveted. #watchmysix
This was a great read; I've just made a new best friend! -
Finding love heartache
This is my first book from this author and I must say it was really a great story. It was like real life relationships. I loved the comfort Kelvin and Kenya found in each other. Lindsay is a drama queen and spoiled little brat. This is definitely a page turner. -
Good
My first book by this author and I must say I enjoyed it. I couldn't put the book down until I finished it -
I loved this story. I can say that C.L Donley is a very talented writer and this story will have you riveted from the very first page.
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4.25 stars. (BWWM) Lovely. A wonderful love story that embodies an ancient proverb, "the enemy of my enemy is my friend.", the story also exemplifies the idiom, "one man's trash is another man's treasure." and finally, this story is reminiscent of the movie Random Hearts starring Harrison Ford and Kristen Scott where their characters like the protagonists in this story develop a friendship and fall in love following the discovery that their spouses are lovers. The author did a good job revealing the emotional issues driving the behaviors of the leading characters. The hero, Kevin Hayes, is a retired marine who deals with PTSD, he married his longtime sweetheart and love of his life who cheated on him during his time in Afghanistan, he is working on rebuilding his marriage despite the selfishness and inconsiderateness of his lazy materialistic wife. The heroine, Kenya Hamilton, is a registered nurse in the local hospital and is committed to ensuring that her marriage endures the test of time, despite her husband's overbearing, demanding, unappreciative and indifferent manners. When Kenya is confronted with her husbands cheating, she follows him to his lover's house and 'keys' what she thinks is her husband's lover's car; as it turns out, it's Kevin's wife is Kenya's lover and it's Kevin's car that is keyed. Kevin and Kenya meet when he comes to her job to discuss getting his car repaired. The author allows Kevin and Kenya to air their grievances about their marriages, develop a friendship and slowly fall in love. There is some drama from their exes; but not too much. Kevin monetarily went to 'stupidville' due to his giving and honorable sacrificial nature.
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Emotional Roller coaster
Wow so I admit things got crazy enough i thought I'd not finish the book. However despite the emotions the book continued to bring out I had to know how it ended lol.
You experience rage,love, laughter, sadness, the urge to kill, shock, grieve just to name a few. Book is with every moment spent reading and you grasp a new author feel but definitely a young lady going places as an author.
Main characters: the Henley's and the Hamilton's
Husband Hamilton is a spineless, cheating dog. Wife to said dog trying to hard to be supportive and there for him as he's a Marine vet that suffered during the war and dealing with PTSD. Husband Henley former Marine that also suffers from PTSD but so busy trying to make the wrong spineless, selfish, conniving female happy. -
Unexpected
This story was unexpectedly good, cute, romantic, and honestly delivered. A regular hero with flaws, traditional job, sweet. A heroine, strong, vulnerable, and loving. Every character, even family, displayed flaws.
The blemished interaction among friends, family, and exes is what made the book so enjoyable, uniquely refreshing, and characteristic. There was even humor despite some of the struggles. I loved how the couple’s relationship evolved, how they grew into their love. The hero was a little weak, which was not a trait that necessarily appealed to me, particularly in the instance he exhibited it, but was in keeping with the personalization of the storyline. Overall a great book. -
Redemption
What a hot mess! This story amazed me in its honest depiction of what cheating can do. Kenya and Kevin each valued their marriages. Their spouses did not. They were selfish and manipulative. Lindsey, Kevin's spouse was a total mess. His brother tried to tell him but he didn't listen. He was blinded by pleasing her and making her happy. She didn't want to be happy. All of the drama that ensues is completely real. Nothing that seemed over the top.
This here love story came from a disaster that eventually got Kenya and Kevin the love they needed and wanted. -
Such a wonderful story! I laughed and even cried some. The pain that these characters went through. The family in both sides were a trip in a good and bad way. I will continue to read more from this author.
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Review coming soon (or eventually). Another five-star read. Highly recommend.
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The saddest part about this book is that it was written by a black women. I do not like jokes based on racial stereotypes. Not only are they super uncomfortable, they are never funny. The lead character when asked by his brother how a nurse could have keyed his car, he replies thst she is African American. As if being African American is synonymous to ratchety ghetto ass behaviour. I am African Australian and I felt for my African American sisters with this depiction. Why an African American woman would perpetuate these stereotypes is beyond me.
I nearly lost it when Scott asked his brother if he could get his blonde wife and the black women he is supposedly in love with to fight each other to which he responds he probably could get them to fight each other. To which the brother marvelled at. What the ? I am honestly disgusted by this author.
The hero also ditches the black chick and runs back to his wife and the black chick still decides to fuck him 1 more time before he goes back to his wife, ewwww! He also treats her in such a condescending manner when she keeps failing to see why he would go back to his serial cheating ex wife *who might I say is a horrid human being) just cause she is pregnant. She later takes him back when he decides to come back to her, that is after he had also raw dogged the said ex wife without even getting tested. And after thw wife had killed her unborn baby. Otherwise he really was not planning to coke back. He also winges to her about how his wife kept making him fuck her "like dude was holding a knife to your throat.....uh no" lmao and then bam he needs his appendix removed hahahaha what ? What fantastical shit is this? I have never seen a book go this pear shaped in my life.She really was a placeholder. The ultimate second choice . I would rather be alone than be stuck with a dusty no good Kevin.
I honestly wanted the Hero to end up with his wife. It's really what he deserves. Also what is up with PTSD fucking recon sex and shooting people . The lead characters were role playing guns and imagining blowing people's heads off while having sex. Let that sink in. How is killing someone sexy ? da fuck! That scene felt like I had just been doused with icy cold water. -
Wonderfully Heartfelt
I haven't written a review in a while but ..... wow! I absolutely loved this story, it was such a joy to read, something so refreshing and humorous. This is my second book by this author, I think she is an amazing wordsmith that knows exactly how to draw the reader in. I was captivated from the start and was entertained to the end, I didn't even need to skip any pages.
Well written, beautifully detailed and captured perfectly, every emotion and thoughts, evoked by exceptional characters that blended together well. An honest portrayal of an uplifting love story that is to the point, completely relatable and convincing. I would definitely recommend this book. A MUST read. Thank You C. L. Donley 😁 -
Perfect
I love CL Donley’s writing style. She doesn’t try to make her characters perfect. They are relatable. Even the sex scenes are clumsy and human. I like that. Her stories capture you and hold you till the end. This is my second novel that I’ve read and enjoyed. I look forward to more.
First, I have a weakness for Marines. The one error I saw was when Kevin allowed Kendra to call him a soldier. Any Marine, I know would have corrected her. I felt bad for Kevin but loved how Kendra helped him. I loved both Kendra and Kevin. They were strong and weak. They complimented each other. They were brutal to each other when the other needed it.
I recommended this novel to my reading friend when i was 65% finished with it. Its good. Happy Reading!! -
First from author! Not last
When I started the book, I wasn’t completely sure about it. It that hesitation quickly disappeared. I throughly enjoyed every bit of this book.
The writing is different from any I’ve ever read. The author managed to make the characters become someone you know personally. Able to relate to saying “omg sounds just like me/whomever”. It was like reading a friends journal. Loved it!!! Unlike other books where it’s more fantasy type this was more reality written. By that I mean the reactions and thoughts felt real.
My emotions was dragged. I laughed a lot, related from start to end, cried a bit. IM PURCHASING FOR MY COLLECTION.
Plan on checking out her other books.
