Book Review - Friends with Benefits SUCKS (At Least for Women)

Friends with Benefits SUCKS by Lynn Gilliard
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Lynn Gilliard calls herself the 'Big Sis' of dating advice. While reading this short book, I thought more like that sassy friend who has an answer for everything. Gilliard uses her past experiences in love/dating to dish out advice on why women shouldn't let themselves get involved in a Friends with Benefits relationship.

I don't have a Big Sis or a sassy friend who's been there, but when I was younger I wish I had someone there to guide me. While I never ended up in these situations, I can see how this book could benefit someone who needs to quick kick in the butt to start respecting herself.

Things I disliked about this book were the sweeping generalizations that weren't backed by any research or solid facts. Lines like this:

Low self-esteem starts with feelings of being unwanted and unloved by a father or mother. (Loc 34)

and this:

The problem is that the high levels of testosterone present in men tend to decrease the effect of oxytocin while the high levels of estrogen in women increases the effect. (Loc 115)

There were also some passages that I think anyone in a relationship needs to remember. In Chapter VII. Prioritizing YOUR Needs Gillard writes:

You deserve to get what you want from life just as much as the next person. (Loc 228).

and

When I finally learned how to say "NO" to other people, a whole new world opened up to me. (Loc 235).

I received a copy of the book from the author for an honest review.

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