FRENEMIES WITH BENEFITS

With help from someone unexpected, an 18-year-old girl takes the summer after her senior year to explore her desires and learn about her passions.

Jessica Webster was OK being the shy, frumpy friend in her social group, until her brother called and told her that in a month, he’d be bringing his gorgeous college roommate home to stay before they head off together on a volunteer trip. This is the same roommate Jess has been crushing on but has been too shy to talk to. Enter hot frenemy Benjamin Oliver, quarterback and mayor’s son, who overhears her describing her dilemma and offers a solution: use the month to practice having sex with him so she’ll appeal to an experienced college boy. What starts off purely as physical exploration for Jess, who is white, turns into more as she discovers that Ben, who has a white dad and Venezuelan mom, is not the villain she’s made him out to be. In fact, he’s everything Jess wants in a partner. With Ben, Jess learns about intimacy and sex and how to voice her desires and state her boundaries. This is a compelling story about consent, empowerment, and owning one’s choices. The dialogue is witty and fun, with beautiful moments of honesty. Jess is a refreshing character who is OK with not having everything figured out, while Ben is an it boy who empowers those in his orbit.

A bold yet sweet story about sexuality, trust, and relationships.