I wasn't to sure about this book in the beginning?! But it ended up being very um enlightening lol it definitely made you think about things or at least had me thinking! There was some heartbreak and heartache and definitely a lot of funny moments! I really enjoyed reading this book! Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for sharing this book with me!

Are you ready for another 5-star review from me?! Because here it is! I loved The Roommate, so very much. It’s the kind of book you don’t want to stop reading, yet you force yourself to because you don’t want it to end, either.

Clara has just dropped her socialite life on the east coast & followed after her childhood crush to Los Angels. When she shows up she’s surprised to find that her living arrangements for the summer are going to look a bit different.

In walks Josh. Oh Josh! Get ready to swoon. He is every bit the sweet, goofy, & HOT new roommate. Immediately his charm and charisma was beaming from the pages. It’s safe to safe that Josh stole the story for me. Not long after, they set some ground rules as new roommates, and Clara quickly learns that Josh is an adult entertainer. This shocking bit of news sends proper & poised Clara over the edge. These two could not be more opposite if they tried.

There’s a deeper story here than just a fluffy rom-com, though. This book brings attention to the importance of positive sex and the sex industry. It can come in all forms & sizes, and we shouldn’t be embarrassed, or think negatively by it just because it’s something so many have labeled as taboo in the past. It really opened my eyes to another side of this industry, and I’m better for it.

I’ve never read a romance before that begins with the physical connection, then leads to an emotional intimacy, quite like this book did. It felt fresh and unique, a romance novel I was fully immersed in. Readers should know that there are very steamy moments, lots of swoon, and explicit content. All of it was told in very good taste and I kept wanting more, more, more! Expect to see me gushing about this book for awhile!

Easily one of my favorite books of the year! I loved this smart, funny, steamy romance so very much. Its depiction of the adult entertainment industry is something I haven’t seen much in popular media before, and I found it enlightening. I loved how sex-positive the book was as a whole, and focused on women knowing their bodies and taking their pleasure without shame. Following Clara’s journey to letting herself do those things and take control of her own life was as empowering and hopeful as it was just plain fun. I loved her chemistry with Josh, and what a supportive and encouraging guy he was. His journey to finding his own voice and talents and using them how he wanted was also fun to see. I just loved these characters and their story so much! Contemporary romance at its best.

THE ROOMMATE is charming and refreshing and totally what I needed in these stressful times.

I see everyone labeling this as a rom-com, but I wouldn't. (Though, it should be noted, that I'm not really a rom-com kind of person.) Instead THE ROOMMATE is the kind of high-chemistry and low-angst read that sizzles without stressing you out.

There's a healthy bit about our own perceptions of self and how they can get in the way, but also plenty of high-heat-level action.

Special thanks to Berkley for providing our copy in exchange for an honest & fair review.

Y'all - this may be my new favorite romance. I am just so in love with this book!

First, it's open-door & so steamy & sexy. Honestly, this book is dripping with hot sex. There were times I had to put it down, wipe my brow, take a deep breath & go back for more. Like, it's time for a cold shower.

Let me tell you, Rosie Danan can write a sex scene. If you're here for the steam, take a seat & stay a while. Not a letter was skimmed as I took in every syllable of the hot, steamy & lust filled sex scenes.

Now, there's a big part of this book (regarding Josh's occupation) that is not mentioned in the synopsis. For me, I think this such a missed opportunity. I'm afraid readers may join in thinking this is a cute romance not realizing that Josh is a hot & sexy porn star. And guess what? The porn industry as a whole is a large part of this book.

And I am HERE FOR IT! Clara is so straight-laced so when she's thrown into a living arrangement with a porn star, I am giddy. Like, cue the lights, steam & high jinks. I'm ready for her sexual revolution. Give it to me Rosie!

Can I brag for a bit about Josh? I just love him. He's authentic, communicates, is thoughtful & the sweetest porn star I've ever "met".

Now, time to brag about Clara. She is who she is! She communicates openly with Josh & sets her boundaries. She also has gumption and although she is shall we say less experienced than Josh she is not a wallflower.

Next, it's time to brag about Rosie Danan. Now, if I find myself cackling several times while reading, that is always a great sign! There are so many pop culture references in this book too. I always love that. I'm a huge fan & can't wait to read more from Rosie!

THE VERDICT

I am enamored with this book. It's fun, memorable & did I mention it has great sex scenes? I cannot wait for more readers to get their hands on this book!

This book was hot and steamy!

Clara is a Wheaton, Wheaton's, follow and rules and gets disowned if a sandal is ever involved in their life. When Clara feels lost she decided to up and move from New York to LA to live with her forever crush/childhood best friend Everett, but when he picks her up from the airport he drops a bombshell on her. No, he's not seeing someone, he's going on the road with his band all summer and is leaving that day. Not to worry Clara though he has a roommate lined up for her.

This roommate is gorge and no one mentions he works in adult entertainment. This is a great coming of age story for those 20 something-year-old adults where their careers after a few years are not what the wanted and to face the fears of the unknown.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. While both the characters are in their late twenties at the start of the book, it had coming of age as well as romantic elements, and was very much a book about figuring out who you are and how you want to live your life. I loved seeing Chloe overcome her shyness and need to be the good, well-behaved one at all times. and I loved seeing Josh look for and find more value in himself. I also really liked the way both Josh and Chloe accepted and respected each other in ways that neither was used to. The storyline about creating an online, sex-positive resource for women was a lot of fun, too. And the humour was delightful.

2.5 stars

While I felt the writing was enjoyable, this story overall lacked substance. Neither hero or heroine had any skin in the game - Nothing to lose. Each of them could walk easily away from the opportunity - romantically and business-wise - that tumbled into their laps. And it steadily felt that if things didn’t work out it didn’t really matter.

There was little build up to their relationship. I’m not sure what they saw in one another. Perhaps the theme was that they started out falling for the stereotypes each represented and then saw the true beauty beneath. I’m not certain because we never got below the surface their emotions, motivations or fears.

I won’t call it cute. But it was a quick easy read - like reading about the idea of a book. Plenty was unrealistic but that’s not a thing I hold against romance books much - id come to loathe the genre if i always needed reality.

Bland Sexy Guy and Uptight Girl With Family Issues were non-offensive. Parts of the story related to the exploitation of porn workers was interesting and had so much unfulfilled promise. The ideas certainly stepped out of the comfort zone even if the execution didn’t.

*thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to often my unbiased opinion*


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