I loved this book so much! You can read it as a standalone but I went back and read the The Roommate first because I hate missing out! While this book definitely has some steam to it, it was also so much more than that. Naomi wormed her way right into my feelings. I loved Ethan so much, he was so kind and understanding. Naomi’s dry humor had me cracking up. Definitely recommend everyone picking this book up.

An adult film star and a rabbi walk into a bar….Great set up for a joke AND a romance novel.

Y’all, I loved this. If you read and enjoyed The Roommate, then you already know how badass Naomi Grant is. If you haven’t, then get ready to know and love this former porn star and current sex education startup CEO, who has a masters in psychology and a take-no-prisoner’s attitude.

The setup: Naomi is looking to get a gig teaching about modern intimacy. At a conference she stumbles into Ethan Cohen, a hot young rabbi who is looking for seminar ideas to get more people interested in his flailing synagogue. Shenanigans ensue.

Naomi and Ethan had great chemistry and their romance was fun to witness, but beyond that I really appreciated how this book also dealt with deeper issues, such as finding new ways to approach faith and religion, what it means to be successful, and how to overcome old traumas. I also really loved Naomi’s seminar lessons that were full of great dating advice. (I took some notes, lol.)

My only complaint is the same as it was for The Roommate - I needed more steamy scenes!! We actually have less of them here than in the first book. What little there is, is GREAT, but….c'mon.

Naomi Grant prides herself on being both professional and bulletproof. Just because she’s a former sex worker, doesn’t mean that she doesn’t have the brains to back up her title as a CEO – and she definitely knows how to use them.

That doesn’t make introducing herself to strangers any easier. Despite years of developing some very tough skin, sometimes the barbs thrown her way go straight to her heart.

So when the only man in greater Los Angeles to make her pulse quicken approaches her about leading a lecture on Modern Intimacy, she’s more than just a little skeptical.

“Would you be interested in conducting a seminar on modern intimacy for my synagogue?”
That was—did he say—had she really been out of the game so long that she couldn’t tell flirting from . . . this? The reason for the goose bumps on her arms transformed. She hadn’t thought about synagogues in a long time.
When she spoke next, her carefully constructed walls were back in place.
“I can’t imagine a religious organization would offer me a more welcome reception than higher education, but thanks anyway.” She started walking out of the classroom, leaving him to lap at her heels.
“I can assure you that you’d be very welcome at Beth Elohim.”
“How’s that?” She threw the words over her shoulder.
Ethan managed to jog in front of her, shoving his hands into his pockets and offering her a weak smile. “Well, for starters, I’m the rabbi.”

Ethan Cohen isn’t a stereotypical rabbi. Not only is he beautiful on the outside, but he’s also heartbreakingly compassionate and tender on the inside. He believes that science and religion can not only coexist but that they make the world infinitely more wonderous. And he’s never seen anything as wonderous as Naomi.

Theirs is a relationship that some might see as doomed from the very beginning. But he sees it as the greatest gift he’s ever received.

“A kiss doesn’t have to mean anything. I’ll give you a get-out-of-jail-free card if you’ve gotten cold feet.” Her voice was softer this time, less sure, the statement almost a question.
She was offering them both an out, he supposed.
Ethan had no intention of taking it.
He moved so he was standing in front of her instead of beside her, so he could look her in the eye. The wet sand was cold under his feet, grounding him.
“Kissing you,” he said, determined to be explicit about it, “meant something to me.”
She sucked in a breath like the words had sharp edges. He could tell she wanted to move, to look away even, but she didn’t. “Whatever it is, this thing between us, it won’t be easy.”
“Whatever it is, this thing between us,” he repeated, “I want it.”

With The Intimacy Experiment, Rosie Danan achieves the nearly impossible! She flawlessly combines science, religion and sex to create a story that’s not only affirming but also empowering.

Her characters are beautifully broken – Naomi with her too tough exterior and Ethan with his boundless optimism. Together with a shining cast of supporting characters, they will make you laugh, make you cry and then make you marvel at the beauty of the universe. And when you’re done reading it, you’ll want to experience it all over again…

The Intimacy Experiment was totally unexpected and really fun! I was definitely surprised by the heavy influence of Judaism! (This coming from an author who’s debut was all about the sex industry.) But it was really beautifully done and I honestly connected with the characters' thoughts around identity and where their faith fit in as a young Jewish woman myself. Also how often do we get to read books where the love interest is a young hot rabbi? This was a first for me at least. Although I felt like this book didn’t have quite the same spark as the first, I truly enjoyed it and can’t wait to see what comes next in this series (or beyond)!

If you are looking for The Roommate 2.0, you won’t find it here. I was pretty shocked at the difference between this book and the first in the series, but not in a bad way! I really enjoyed following along with the lessons in Naomi’s Love & Dating 101 class and thought this book realistically covered a lot of the modern dating experience, except for the hot rabbi part.

There were a lot of thoughtful moments throughout, and I do think this book is so different from The Roommates that even if you really didn’t vibe with the first one between the steam or the content itself, you might enjoy this one! They definitely can be read as standalone novels.

I spent the last night mulling over what to say in this review - I have thoughts - but I don't think my writing can eloquently express my conflicted feelings about this story.

While I was pleasantly surprised by the confluence of the major themes (faith and sexual freedom/intimacy), and I especially loved learning more about Judaism and its traditions, I don’t necessarily think the author successfully merges them with the romantic story she’s also trying to tell.

The novel reads like three disjointed parts: Naomi’s journey back to her faith and acceptance of her past and the events that shaped her into who she is when this story begins, and her willingness to love and be loved; Ethan’s new life as a rabbi and eligible bachelor; and the social experiment that brings them together. The three never quite come together, and it feels like disparate story lines (some more successful than others) the author wanted to write about, that never fully merged.

ON the pro side, faith and intimacy are deeply woven into the story, and the author never panders to her audience - their inclusion feels organic to the novel. Sex work and faith don’t initially seem like a great combination in a romance novel, but in the authors capable hands they totally work and make for compelling reading. The messaging is subtle and powerful.

Unfortunately, she’s less successful writing about her principal characters. Naomi chose porn after an ex shared nude pictures of her in high school to prove that being naked, being sexual, didn't make you less valuable, less worthy of respect. I love the idea that she turned her trauma into a victory, but her current life somewhat belies that fact. Naomi is emotionally closed off, bitter over her past, and convinced she’s unlovable. Although I applaud the author’s attempt to change the narrative about pornography and why women make it their career, Naomi is a contradiction. Outwardly she embodies a successful, well adjusted woman who lives life on her own terms - but the truth is much different. Sex did help her to become professionally successful, but it’s also made a mess of her mindset.

Meanwhile, Ethan is this super bright, kind and good guy just trying to become the best version of the man he thinks he should be. And, well...he’s doing it? He’s nice? And good? And DON’T FORGET - super hot. He loves his family, his congregation, Naomi, her friends….Um. I like that he’s the catalyst that sparks Naomi into self examination, but his journey just seems to be about getting in touch with his sexiness and protecting the woman he loves from anyone who questions her morals or denigrates her life as a sex worker. He’s great. But friends, he’s great from the start. His story sort of goes...nowhere?

This story meanders its way to happily ever after in parallel story lines featuring our two principal characters; there’s not nearly enough of them together, the high school scene should have been cut, and there IS NOT NEARLY ENOUGH PHYSICAL INTIMACY in this contemporary romance. Friends, it isn’t really all that romantic. Informative? Yes. Educational? Also yet. Sexy? Nope. Romantic? Nope. Swoony?

Also, I think I hate stories set in LA.

Let’s start with the good in this book:

1. The characters
2. The intersection of religion and faith and romance done in a way that is completely different from what you might find in a inspirational romance

Porn star turned businesswoman Naomi has all the hallmarks of being the kind of heroine I usually love. She’s tough as nails, with a crusty exterior that hides a heart that’s as mushy as an overripe avocado. She’s the quintessential #girlboss, cofounder of the sex-positive start-up Shameless, bold and brave and a total badass. After having been traumatized in high school when the nude pics she shared privately with her boyfriend were made public by him, causing her to be slut shamed by the whole school, she’s thrown herself into a life of not giving a damn what anyone thinks of her. She lives and plays by her own rules, public opinion be damned.

Rabbi Ethan Cohen is a man of God...and science. The former high school physics teacher lives a life asking the big questions, always in search of the truth. Desperate to increase the numbers in his synagogue, he proposes an unlikely partnership with Naomi: start a series of classes on modern intimacy to draw young people to his synagogue.

I was fascinated by the role Judaism played in this book. I am very unfamiliar with the religion and found it very interesting how the intersectionality of one’s love of God, of others, of themselves, and ultimately, romantic love all came together in this book. It felt informative but not preachy in a way that even I, a person best described as being ambiguous towards organized religion, could appreciate.

So, why the 3 stars?

Here’s where it gets tricky. I think the plot derailed this book. I really do. First of all, Naomi is a kickass self-starter who gets shit done. She has spent her entire life in the IDGAF zone only to spend the bulk of this book searching for validation in a way that really made no sense to me. It was completely antithetical to how the character was conceived and I couldn’t wrap my head around why she would not just start her own courses and hold them under the umbrella of her own business, a business that is by all definitions quite successful. She’s already established a brand so it made no sense to me why she would go looking for an academic institution to hire her to do something she could’ve just controlled on her own from the outset.

I understand that this means there would have been issues as to how to bring the hero into her orbit but I don’t think this is the only way Ethan and Naomi could’ve met.

Secondly, the end of the book falls flat, especially when Naomi returns to her high school and basically, word vomits her heartbreak in front of an entire auditorium full of high school seniors. I don’t understand that scene. I think the author was trying to showcase the emotional journey of her heroine, one who had started off in a place where she was very closed off and unwilling to be vulnerable and then showing her in a place where she was willing and able to completely open up in front of a group of strangers. I get the intention but the execution fell short. I don’t think there was any need for her to return to the scene of a place that was so detrimental to her life.

Ultimately, I think there was a lot of potential in this book and I really did like the characters and felt like they worked well together but the plot took me out of the story and felt more like a roadblock instead of something that was actually furthering the story.

Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️The Intimacy Experiment by Rosie Danan
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Naomi always was a rebel, going against the grain has always been in her life. After co-founding a sex-positive start-up she wishes to expand her educational platform, unfortunately in spite of her long list of qualifications nobody will give her a chance. Ethan just became the Rabi of his own synagogue, the executive board taking a chance on him to attract more millennials to the faith. Unfortunately, both funds and people are running very low so they give him three months or they'll close the doors for good. The perfect solution to both their problems is a seminar on modern intimacy. They've built to experiment, but they never expected to test it themselves.
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This book was everything. All our expectations got thrown out the window, in the best possible way. It's no secret that, in the first book, Naomi was my favourite character and her book did not disappoint. Getting to see Naomi getting more and more vulnerable, with not only Ethan, but with everyone who loved her felt incredible. I loved the sense of community in this book, how well it was explored, and how fulfilling it was to the characters. Ethan was absolutely wonderful, Naomi described him as quietly heroic, and it rang true through all the book. This book was deliciously steamy, but not in the ways you expect. The vulnerability and intimacy between Ethan and Naomi was teasing and fiery. My favourite scene was the one when Ethan just held Naomi on his lap, his hand in her hair, just breathing her in, and caring for her as more than just a lover, but also as a partner. This book also felt truly mature. The characters, the relationships, the writing and every little details created this wonderful book. As Ethan is a Rabbi, religion is a big part of this book, however it didn't felt pushy or preachy, it felt authentic to the characters. The title of the book is perfect, to also represent the religious aspect. The relationship the book has with religion is intimate, but also an experiment: it's questioned, explained, and discussed with authenticity and openness. I strongly recommend this book.
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Steamy Level | 3.5 | Multiple descriptive sex scenes, porn and sex-positivity.
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Thank you so much @berkleyromance and @rosiedanan and @netgalley for the advanced reader’s copy! As always all thoughts and opinions are honest and my own.
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This book will definitely make my favorites of 2021 list!

I absolutely adored everything this book did. Not only did this have an outstandingly sexy romance, but the main characters went through amazing personal journeys along the way. This had chemistry, tension, amazing themes, and fantastic Jewish representation (just a note - I am not own voices however I am married into a Reform Jewish family).

Naomi is a new all-time favorite main character. I loved her journey throughout this book - particularly the way she had to learn to let her guard down, and I think it's a struggle that many people can relate to. Naomi's tumultuous past paired with societal prejudices against sex-workers, has caused her to put up impenetrable walls. She refuses to let anyone see her as anything other than feisty and utterly self-reliant. And she fully embraces her identity as a sexual icon since that is all most people she her as anyways. But throughout the book you watch her unravel her trauma and open up. And it's a stunning journey to experience.

The way Ethan and Naomi love each other was absolutely beautiful. Ethan stood up against everyone so fiercely for Naomi - despite the risks. And Naomi fully embraced his passion for his career. Their slow burn romance was full of chemistry and tension. And that first date scene.... left me panting.

I loved absolutely everything that Rosie Danan tackled throughout this book. From faith to sex work to society prejudices, she handled everything with so much care. There were so many moments and lines throughout that hit in a way that made it was clear the author felt personally invested in the themes she was writing.

Overall this book stole my heart. Naomi's monologue at the end had me reading through tears and solidified this as an all-time favorite romance. I absolutely cannot wait to read whatever Rosie Danan writes next - inside this world or otherwise!

Review is live on Goodreads and Instagram. It will be posted to my blog on 3/7 @ 9am.

I was excited to read The Intimacy Experiment by Rosie Danan after falling in love with her debut novel The Roommate. Danan did not disappoint when an ex-porn star and a rabbi meet….

After the success of their online startup, Naomi Grant is ready to take her seminars live in an educational setting but is having difficulty. No one is ready to take her seriously in the academic world. She enrolls in a class, hoping to make connections and gain credibility. Here she meets drop dead gorgeous Ethan Cohen. He offers her a chance to teach a class on Modern Intimacy… only at the synagogue and oh yeah… he is the rabbi.

I adored Naomi in book one. She is all sass and hard-coating on the outside, but gooey on the inside. Don’t tell her that or she’ll bite you. We get to know more of her history and it made me love this unapologetic storm in heels even more. Her classes felt genuine, and I loved how she connected with her audience.

Ethan Cohen’s story was interesting, and his passion for his community made him even sexier. Wow… a sexy Rabbi. Yep, somehow Danan made me feel that way. I loved how Ethan saw all of Naomi.

The story arc was solid, from the classes to the conflicts that arose. We saw characters from the first book and there were scenes that made me giddy between the friends. I cheered, jeered and simply devoured their story.

The romance was a mix of sweet and hot that melted my Kindle as Danan delivered a slow burn. Rosie Danan writes romance that tugs at your heartstrings, feels fresh and endears you to her characters.

This one is a keeper.

Thank you Netgalley and Berkley for access to this arc.

Their working together might sound like the set up for a bad joke – a porn star and a Rabbi walk into a lecture hall – but after a slow first week, things begin to pick up as Naomi’s style and lecture content moves people beyond her past job and truly does begin to help people discover ways to improve their relationships. While Naomi doesn’t regret anything she’s done professionally she’s also not naive about how others think about and will act towards her. Ethan discovers this in a sad but also hilarious scene in which he tries to defend Naomi’s honor against a drunk – first by reasoning and then by fighting. Let’s just say he winds up needing an ice bag and a few shots of tequila by the end of the evening. I liked that downside of Naomi’s sex worker fame is shown but also felt that what is shown of her lectures seems like standard stuff that could be found on a hundred blogs or youtube videos.

Despite the sparks that crackle around them, both Ethan and Naomi have things about them that are relationship killers. Ethan’s status as a Rabbi either draws women because they think he has “Husband Material” stamped on him or it drives them away because of the commitment that it demands of him and would of his wife. Meanwhile Naomi knows – and doesn’t mind – that half of LA has seen her tits as they watched her in films or her new business but she knows most parents would be horrified if a son brought her home to dinner to meet the family. Naomi fitting into Ethan’s life and his synagogue is something I felt needed more wrap up on page than it got and was left as a big unaddressed elephant in the shul.

Naomi faced rejection due to what the asshole did and also because of her bisexuality. She is Jewish though she hasn’t practiced in years but she’s aware that some might not view her that way since her mother is a Quaker which always made her feel an “outsider of her own marginalization.” So while she’s interested in reconnecting with the faith, she’s not exactly eager to attend Ethan’s shul and risk having another door slammed in her face. She’s learned to always keep her guard up in a world that alternately shuns her or treats her as a joke. Of course she’s developed a protective shell and can be prickly as hell. This is a fairly standard “romance character with a vulnerable inside hidden by a tough exterior” stuff. Ethan on the other hand is a sweet beta guy – except when his synagogue softball team is playing.

The romance is more slow and steady and I felt that neither character rushed their feelings or emotional connection. For Naomi, baring her body has always been easier than baring her soul which rears its head the first time she and Ethan attempt to make love. This is also a bit standard – that Naomi has no issues having sex but does when emotion enters the situation. Ditto that she keeps people and love at a distance due to the early betrayal in her life. I was disappointed that the final conflict becomes a chance to trot out another trope when someone goes all martyr. Then when Naomi revisits the place where she was first shamed, a chance to talk to the current students about her experience and help anyone suffering from something similar was totally missed.

The writing is good and pulled me in. I haven’t read the companion book, “The Roommate”, but didn’t feel lost with these characters. Many of the tropes used are common but are also well done. Plus I loved that Naomi uses a cat in her analogy to explain her changing feelings about Ethan. The sex positive aspects are a breath of fresh air and yay for Ethan thinking and explaining things in terms of his religion which is obviously much of his core identity. But the book did slow down a bit as Ethan and Naomi worked out their issues and a few things I wanted to see explored more, and which are central to the romantic conflict of Ethan and Naomi’s future, were lightly passed over. B-

The Intimacy Experiment is one of those rare books that leaves you wanting. You want more pages, more story, more of everything. It left me thinking about it for days after I finished it even while I was reading other books. I was so invested in the lives of these characters and wish that I could have read a hundred more chapters of their love story.

Naomi Grant, a retired sex worker, has created a sex-positive start-up that tries to help people discover intimacy with themselves and others. She has wanted to move from her online platform to in class lectures, but no one will take her seriously about it because of her previous line of work.

Enter Ethan Grant, a young and devastatingly attractive Rabbi, who wants Naomi to help him get a younger generation excited about the Jewish faith and increase attendance at his synagogue. They join forces in creating a six-week class to help young men and women with the troubles surrounding dating and intimacy in the era of technology and online dating.

“That moment is pretty much the catalyst for my whole career. I wanted to prove that being naked, being sexual, didn’t make you less valuable, less worthy of respect. In my quest to redeem Hannah Sturm- that’s my given name- I became Naomi Grant. Sex work let me save myself. Let me regain my power”.

These characters are powerful separately and together. Naomi Grant is a retired pornstar, full of ambition and drive to continue to leave her previous persona behind her. Unfortunately, she finds that sometimes the past continues to come back to haunt her whether that be the lack of opportunities from people who judge her or men who think that she deserves to be sexualized and harassed because of her previous career. She seems so strong, so impenetrable in the beginning of the book that you wonder if anything can crack her “tough as nails” exterior, but as the book goes on then Naomi sheds the layers of herself baring parts of her soul including the things that make her feel vulnerable and incapable of love.

Ethan is the perfect partner for Naomi. He is extremely forgiving, understanding, and kind. He is never judging of Naomi’s past, and instead always looks to make her feel deserving of everything she has and wants. Their chemistry is palpable from the first page. Add in a heaping of Naomi’s sarcastic wit and Ethan’s adorable quirkiness and you have a match made in romance heaven.

This story was pure perfection from beginning to end. Full of so many laugh out loud moments and moments that make you want to grab a box of tissues and have a good solid cry. It has such heart.

Rosie Danan is a one-of-a-kind writer. Her writing is impeccable. Her humor is spot on. If you are a fan of Lucy Score’s wit or Susan Elizabeth Phillips humor then take a chance on this book. You will not regret it.

~ Michelle

It doesn't happen all too often that I become so enamoured with a book that I feel utterly drunk on it, but this radiant gem of a story stole my heart and fed my soul in ways I didn't even know it had needed it. In this slow-burning, opposites-attracting romance between two unlikely lovers, Rosie Danan makes us believe that love truly conquers all, and that a cynical former sex performer and a forward-thinking young rabbi could find their happily-ever-after in a world that is set on rejecting the very idea of them together. The soft shimmering sensuality of Danan’s voice is intoxicating, subtle yet bold in the way she makes the reader feel each tantalising increment of desire between the characters, but it is her ability to give them genuine emotional depth and complexity that leaves a lovely, lingering effect long after we close this book. A rare delight!

Read full review » https://natashaisabookjunkie.com/2021/04/06/review-the-intimacy-experiment-by-rosie-danan/

Oh, my expectations were high for this one, since I absolutely LOVE the first in the series, "The Roommate." Perhaps that's why this isn't quite a five-star for me, and it comes down to personal preference, I think. Or personal expectations, something like that. I will try my best to review this without mentioning the first book TOO much.

"The Intimacy Experiment" follows one of the major side characters from the first book, Naomi Grant. She's strong and uncompromising, takes no shit, and is a power to be reckoned with. As a former sex worker, she's had to develop tough skin to survive. Now a successful entrepreneur and retired from performing, Naomi wants to use her higher degree to teach about modern love, sex, and of course, intimacy. In this pursuit, she means Ethan Cohen, an attractive rabbi to a struggling synagogue. He's compassionate, optimistic and wears his hopes and dreams on his sleeves. Basically, the exact opposite of Naomi.

But together, they put on a lecture series as a means to attract more members to Ethan's synagogue. Along the way, they both come to terms with their mutual attraction and what -- if any -- a future they can have as a former porn star and head of a religious community. Not everyone agrees with the lecture series, Naomi's involvement or Ethan's approach to reaching new potential congregants.

Where "The Roommate" saw Clara learning how to be harder and more in charge, "The Intimacy Experiment" is about Naomi learning how to be vulnerable and tender, to trust her insecurities with another. It's also more complicated in that there's the very strong faith element, which is a unique aspect to bring to the genre, especially in a way that is progressive and compassionate. But it also means that this book is decidedly less light-hearted and funny than its predecessor. I reveled in that in the first book, and how it intersected with scorching chemistry. The connection between Ethan and Naomi comes from a different place, and their obstacles are ones that need weight. Consequently, this book is a LOT less steamy than the first, and it takes Naomi and Ethan a lot longer to get there, too (pretty much 3/4s through the book). This was a big detriment to my enjoyment, because I came in expecting comparable heat levels to the first book.

Maybe it is because I am not religious, but the reconnecting with faith aspect didn't get me the way I think it may have if I was more religious. I can appreciate objectively what a wonderful rabbi Ethan is, of course, and the book handles his faith and Naomi's faith with grace and realism. It just wasn't my wheelhouse, or my forte, or whatever.

As a woman, Naomi's journey is one that struck home. I'm not a current or former sex worker, but the sexism and objectification she experiences is something many, if not all, women have gone through in one way or another. It's painful to see how she's had to harden herself to the world in order to survive it. As a teenager, she was failed by her friends and romantic partner, and it changed the course of her life. The fallout from that incident shaped her life and made it so she didn't really trust in the relationship with Ethan for a while -- or that he really is as good as he appears to be.

One note, and again, this is a ME thing, but at the end, I wish the board of directors had gotten more of a comeuppance. They did Ethan and Naomi dirty, and I would have liked more of an f-you moment. Sure, as Ethan says, they and the other members of the synagogue who fought against the lecture series and the personal relationship between Naomi and Ethan were coming from a place of concern and what they felt was right. But, they were in the wrong. I would have liked to see more of them explicitly recognize that. However, I understand, with the core message of compassion and understanding of the book, that that doesn't gel really well. But I'm a petty bitch, what can I say?

I also really, really loved that Ethan never judged or had one of those "am I really OK with my partner's sexual past?" moments with Naomi's history as a sex worker. Oh, that was wonderful. Rosie Danan really does treat sex work with respect in these books, and it's a breath of fresh air, let me tell you. Another delight was it was actually Naomi who had incorrect notions on Ethan's sex life. The conversation where he tells her just how wrong she is was one of my favorites.

Overall, this is a good book. It's just a very different book than the first in the series. I can appreciate the author going for a very different approach, I just missed the elements that made me love the first book so much.

| I received an ARC in exchange for a fair review. |

I enjoyed reading The Roommate but I loved The Intimacy Experiment! A rabbi and an ex-porn star... unlikely match? I was intrigued and it a touching and so smart how Danan took a course on modern intimacy and kind of did a parallel situation with the two main characters who are navigating what that means for each of them. It was quite a heartwarming read and just as I loved all the sex-positive representation in The Roommate, I loved how Danan explored that being religious and being sexual do not have to be mutually exclusive. I am a fan for sure and can't wait to continue reading what Danan is writing!

Naomi Grant, former sex worker and current CEO of a sex education startup, agrees to give a series of lectures on modern intimacy to help rabbi Ethan Cohen increase the numbers at his small synagogue. Despite a master's degree, Naomi's past has made it difficult to find an in-person teaching position. Ethan is certain the seminar series will help but is facing an uphill battle to convince his board of both the seminars and Ms Grant.

I liked these characters. Naomi is cynical but is hiding a tender heart. Ethan is a sweet guy who stands up for Naomi no matter what. ( Case in point: that bar scene!) The problems they face felt realistic but I thought they should have talked more to one another instead of their audiences. Lots of tension plus steam in this one! If you're looking for an opposites attract, sexy rom-com pick this one up! Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an e-copy of this book.

This was a really enjoyable romance, but also a really excellent take on the intersection of religion and sexuality, particularly in how those can intersect in modern culture. (As main character Ethan is a rabbi who is hoping a Modern Intimacy course will help draw members to his synagogue, it's specifically looking at that intersection in Judaism. It's really interesting in the moments when this book becomes slightly academically focused and really dives into this crossroads! It also allows Naomi to explore her own faith and assumptions she's made about her work history and what that means for her as a Jewish woman). I never got around to reading The Roommate (it's sitting on the Shelves of Books I've Bought that Roll Their Eyes as I Keep Buying More), but it's not necessary to have read that to enjoy this one. This was a really excellent conjoiner of steamy story and thoughtful commentary.

In The Intimacy Experiment, Naomi Grant is a retired sex worker who is busy running her sex education start up, but she really wants to take her message into the classroom. Meanwhile, Ethan Cohen is a rabbi at a synagogue with a diminishing congregation. After meeting Naomi at a workshop he asks her to teach a seminar on intimacy at his synagogue. Of course the two hit it off, and figuring out their relationship is complicated. I really like how Rosie Danan writes (I loved The Roommate), and Ethan and Naomi are both great characters. I particularly loved Ethan's relationship with his sister, Leah, and liked the one interaction we saw with him with his mom, who is a bit at a loss when it comes to her son's profession. And while I loved Ethan as a character, his arc is a little unfinished - he never really navigates how his really long hours and job stress impact his family and relationships; there's a throwaway line at the end, but it's not really fully addressed. I also really liked the prickly Naomi, who has lots of walls up and tries to maintain an icy demeanor. I did feel like she was also uneven, especially some of her motivations. Why does she want to work in academia so badly? She feels rejected by higher ed, but academia is a notoriously bad job market; not getting a faculty position is not necessarily a sign of rejection. Why not try teaching elsewhere? (Also - does she really have the time?) And why not try teaching younger people? She was traumatized by an experience in high school; why not try to influence others like her (or those who tormented her)? (Another reviewer mentioned that the speech Naomi gives to high schoolers towards the end was a missed opportunity, and I had the same reaction. I thought that scene was really strange.) Overall, though, a super enjoyable read, recommended to fans of The Roommate.

I’ve been loving the increase in Jewish characters in contemporary romance and YA lately and the representation in this book is top-notch. I didn’t feel like someone was trying to teach me about Judaism through a romance novel. Instead, it felt incredibly authentic and gives a fantastic look at what it means to be Jewish. Our two main characters are both Jewish but they fall so far on opposite sides of the spectrum. On one end we have a young, reform rabbi who found religion again in a time of loss. On the other, there’s a non-practicing sex performer with a Quaker mom and Jewish dad who found Judaism first because of a man and then for herself. It’s just so good.

All of this is wrapped into a story of new love, old pain, healing, and keeping true to your beliefs despite what anyone else says. Even when that anyone else happens to be the old school, elderly board members of your synagogue. Just imagine being the one to tell them you want to host an intimacy seminar.

For anyone that read the Roommate, don’t you worry. We still get steamy moments, Clara and Josh scenes, and plenty of fun involving softball games, pizza bagels, and speed dating (just not all at once). And if you’re like me and felt a little unsure about a full Naomi book, just give her a shot. I promise she’ll quickly change your mind about her. I thoroughly enjoyed watching her finally let down her guard and let love in.

So basically, I adored this book and everyone needs it ASAP. Luckily, it’s out today!

I've found my new favorite book!! #TheIntimacyExperiment by @rosiedanan was absolutely fantastic! This story follows Naomi Grant as she looks to start teaching more about sex positivity and sex education, and Ethan Cohen, a young Rabbi who hires her for a course on modern intimacy run through his synagogue. Naomi and Ethan were a blast to get to know and as they opened up to each other we got to see them fall further into love. This is a faster moving romance for sure but I think with older characters (read: not 20-somethings) we often see people who know what they want and don’t play games once they find it. There was also much less steam than in The Roommate but not a closed-door romance at all. We still got all the sex positivity in this one!!

My absolute favorite thing about this one though was the way Danan wove Judaism throughout the story. From the first few pages, Judaism is ever-present here, and Naomi and Ethan have some incredible conversations - with each other and with supporting characters - about what Judaism means to them.

A HUGE thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Books for the copy of this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Rosie Danan has easily become a go-to romance author for me. She had her work cut out for her after I fell in love with her debut, but I'm glad to say that she has another winner with The Intimacy Experiment. I loved Naomi and Ethan as characters and their chemistry was almost immediately lighting the pages on fire. Even though this book is pretty heavy on the religion and I have absolutely no personal connection with religion of any kind, it didn't really affect my reading experience much. I can definitely say I connected more with Naomi's seminars about relationships and dating, and her lessons are probably going to be ones I think about a lot and use in my own life.

I will say that when Naomi returned to speak at her old high school, she had the chance to speak to and teach teenagers about safe and healthy sexual relationships, and instead she poured her heart out about break ups. It just... didn't work for me. Like yes, that is important too, but she was so angry at the faculty and her classmates because she experienced trauma and was abandoned and treated SO unfairly, and she squandered an opportunity to educate them. That could have been such an important moment because I'm sure stuff like that was still happening, as it does in real life.