So I guess I can add hot Rabbi to my list of fictional boyfriends.

This book is a slow burn romance between Ethan and Naomi. I really enjoyed seeing how their relationship prompted Naomi to do some soul searching and recognize the armor she wears. Ethan is such an endearing, and sweet character and I loved seeing his love of his job.

I enjoyed how this book wove Jewish faith into the story, making it accessible and also showing how it connects with romance and intimacy. I also loved seeing Naomi reconnect with her faith and acknowledge that thought she didn’t practice she still maintained connections.

I would definitely recommend this one.

A sex worker and a rabbi fall hard for each other in Rosie Danan's THE INTIMACY EXPERIMENT. Not only does Danan craft a profoundly touching love story, but she shares wisdom that uplifts one's soul.

A romance involving a former sex worker and a rabbi? Count me in!

This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2021 and it didn’t let me down! This was such a taboo romance that I didn’t really know what to expect. I was surprised that it wasn’t super steamy considering the extra scene that Rosie wrote after The Roommate was so steamy! Instead, I loved that this book focused more on the connection between Ethan and Naomi and the challenges that they faced since they came from different backgrounds. I really enjoyed this romance and definitely recommend it!

BOOK REVIEW: The Intimacy Experiment by Rosie Danan

SUMMARY: When Rabbi Ethan Cohen asks adult performer turned sex educator Naomi Grant to conduct relationship seminars for his congregation, she has no plans to accept. But for some reason, she can’t get the hot religious leader off her mind!

I really liked this story of opposites attract! It’s a follow-up to The Roommate, which I thought was solid, but even reading that one, Naomi’s character intrigued me. Because of her past, she’s built a sharp, sarcastic exterior, and I loved how this book dove into that but didn’t try to change her. She’s not a fallen woman who needs to be fixed—she’s a strong woman who just needs to let others in. And Rabbi Cohen is a classic cinnamon roll—or, in this case, a matzoh ball? 😂

I feel like diversity in romance is having a moment, and as I was reading, I realized this is one of the few books I’ve read where the main characters are Jewish. It was an interesting perspective, and I particularly enjoyed the emphasis on religion as an opportunity for community and a way to connect today’s world to longstanding traditions. It gave me the warm fuzzies in a way that genuinely surprised me.

For a book about sex and sex work, this book had a surprisingly low 🔥 factor, and I would describe the scenes that did happen as particularly romantic. Also, although it’s the second in a series, you absolutely do not have to read The Roommate first to know what’s going on.

I loved the unique premise of this book, a rabbi and an ex-porn star team up to teach intimacy classes. Why not?!

Ethan and Naomi were interesting characters to read about. I especially liked hearing from Ethan’s point of view and I found his character fascinating. I didn’t know much about Judaism when I started this book. I know more about the subject now thanks to the author.

The romance scenes were very steamy and added to the story. It took a while for Ethan and Naomi to work their way from friendship to lovers, but when they did...Wow!

I didn’t care as much for the last few chapters or the way they both found their HEA. It seemed a bit hazy and far fetched for me.

I enjoyed reading this contemporary romance with very interesting characters and plenty of appropriate steam.

4.5 rounded up

Naomi Grant, former porn star and now the co-founder of Shameless (an organization that teaches people about pleasure), wants to try higher ed and live teaching. She was given this opportunity by Ethan, a rabbi at LA's reform synagogue, of all people.

There are so many things to say about this book. The premise alone calls for all kinds of different reactions. But I loved that Rosie Danan keeps thinking outside the box and writing romcoms that test boundaries, explore personal identity and treat sex as a positive. It's refreshing to read about characters who are self-aware, driven by their passions and ready to go for what they want. Naomi is an MC that I enjoyed rooting for. She's open, brave, independent and takes no shit. And Ethan might be her opposite, but that's what balanced their relationship. He loves his faith, cares for others and so soft that you couldn't help but fall in love. Them being together means a scandal, messy and out-of-hand publicity. It was waaay better than The Roommate and felt like a warm sea breeze crashing your soul. It's unconventional, beautiful, sexy and intimate. Also, kudos to the author for doing an excellent job with the Jewish interludes and religious stuff. It was a significant part of the story but didn't feel preachy at all. All the stars!

Thank you Netgalley and Berkley for the earc!

Y’ALL. My heart! My heart cannot handle how much I loved this book!

I started The Intimacy Experiment last night and have not stopped smiling since, except for the parts where I was a sobbing mess, but don’t worry I’m fine now…mostly. If you’ve been around for a while, you may recall me raving about The Roommate last year. This book is about Naomi (Josh’s ex from the Roommate) and Ethan. Naomi is a former porn star turned CEO of the most popular sexual education site in the country. The next challenge she’s set for herself is to expand her work to include live lecturing, but no one will hire her because of her past work. Meet Ethan, the incredibly good looking and very eligible rabbi who wants to hire Naomi to teach an intimacy seminar as a way to bring in more congregants to his failing synagogue.

Just like with The Roommate, The Intimacy Experiment tackles some big topics. Danan covers the intersection of science and religion, making religion accessible and relevant in a modern world, overcoming outdated ideas that make religion exclusive, and she handles it all so well all while weaving one of the best love stories I’ve read in a very long time! The chemistry and tension between Ethan and Naomi is DELICIOUS and they have some truly exceptional banter. I absolutely love the way that each week of Naomi’s intimacy seminar is mirrored in their real life relationship. The conflict was heart wrenching and so believable and I basically cried non stop for the last few chapters.

One of my favorite parts about The Roommate was the relationship between Naomi and Josh and their friendship continues in this book. Because of her past, Naomi has covered herself in armor and never lets anything or anyone get too close, except for Josh and Clara, and now Ethan. Seeing her shed the armor and get a little mushy was THE BEST. I also adored Ethan’s sister Leah and the playful and supportive relationship they have.

Have I convinced you to read this book yet? I can keep going. The Intimacy Experiment is out next week and I hope everyone reads it! Thanks so much to Berkley for this advance review copy.

The Intimacy Experiment was so so good and had everything I wanted. Naomi and Ethan were honestly so cute and they were honestly even cuter than Josh and Clara from the first book. I loved the concept of this book so much, Ethan is a Rabbi and Naomi used to be one of the biggest porn actresses and they have the best slow burn romance I’ve ever read. Wowza those steamy scenes were something else, but I loved them because I adore Ethan and Naomi is one of the most relatable characters.

Ethan is a rabbi at the local synagogue, but attendance has been dropping and he wants to get people to enjoy coming and make it more modern. He hires Naomi to start a modern intimacy course at the synagogue and she will be teaching about dating, sex, and slut shaming. I love a good romance, but this had such an amazing plot with it that it was hard to put down. Not to mention I loved Naomi in the first book and was so excited to know she would be the main character of this book. Learning about her backstory and getting to know her thoughts and feelings was everything. While this didn’t have as nearly as many steamy scenes as The Roommate it was still utter perfection. I loved how sweet Ethan was, how he never once shied away from Naomi, and from day one didn’t care about her past. The slow burn honestly killed me and I just kept internally yelling, “just kiss already”.

“The world is cruel and unrelenting, full of pain and injustice,” she said again, leaning slightly toward him, “and I am a stick of dynamite.”

I am not the biggest romance reader, but if all romances were like this I would be reading them day in and day out. I will read anything by Rosie Danan now and I am absolutely 100% ready for whatever she writes next. The Intimacy Experiment just had everything you look for in a romance and I don’t have words to describe how good it was. If you haven’t read The Roommate yet, read that immediately and then pick up this book!

"Kol hat'chalot kashot" (All beginnings are difficult)

And some beginnings are hot!

Naomi Grant, a former porn star and businesswoman (has her own sex positive start up) meets Ethan Cohen (best last name ever), a former physics teacher and now rabbi of his own synagogue when he approaches her to host intimacy seminars in order to attract a younger crowd (or any crowd) to his dwindling shul.

Modern Intimacy is the name of their seminar and as the course progresses, the number of attendees increases as does the attraction and yearning of Naomi and Ethan. Some members of the synagogue board are going to love this idea; heck Ethan was hired because he is willing to think outside of the box and has nontraditional ways. But will this series of lectures make the other board members cringe due to the topic and lecturer?

Both characters are hot, likeable and intriguing. Both will steal your heart! Naomi is sexy, confident, and comes off as tough as nails and is not afraid to speak her mind, but has a softer side just waiting to come out. Just ask her friends, they all love her and her fierce devotion to them and her job. Ethan is open minded, loyal, competitive, supportive, and warm. He might change the way you think about rabbis.

Hot-to-trot and a whole lot of fun!

This one put a smile on my face. Not only the plot which had me grinning from ear to ear, but also hearing about parts of Los Angeles as I used to live there. I will even forgive the author for having Ethan’s mother getting bread from a Jewish bakery on Melrose. Excuse me, she should have been going to Diamond Bakery on Fairfax! Just saying. I also smiled seeing the JCC mentioned. Brought back memories of my son going to the preschool at the JCC on Olympic. It is always fun when a book take place where you live or used to live. But I digress....

This has a little bit of everything: likeable characters that you cannot help but adore and root for, an interesting group of supporting characters, angst, lust, romance, and of course passion. There are so many things that I loved about this book. The emphasis on intimacy yes, but I also loved the themes of vulnerability, open-mindedness, acceptance, respect, sexuality, religion, family, and relationships.

This book was a lot of fun that had me cheering for the characters and at times shaking my head at them. Although this is book two in the series, it works perfectly as a stand-alone. I did not read the first book and did not feel that I was missing out on anything at all. Now, I will be on the lookout for more books in the series. My fingers are crossed for Ethan's sister to get a book of her own. Just putting that out there!

Hot, Sexy, and fun!

Thank you to Berkley Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Roommate was one of my favorite books of 2020 so I have been highly anticipating The Intimacy Experiment. It did not disappoint in the least bit..

Naomi and Ethan are so fiery and the sexual tension in this book is off the charts. I loved seeing these characters bring out different things in each other - Naomi was so prickly and we slowly got to see her softer side while Ethan was a little uptight and he got to let loose.

Rosie Danan does such a fabulous job of writing about sex in such a positive light. This book is another great hit and can’t wait to recommend it to everyone!

Thank you to Netgalley, Berkley Publishing, and Rosie Danan for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review. The Intimacy Experiment is out April 6th.

4.5/5 starts. I absolutely loved this book! The character dynamics between Naomi and Ethan set up delicious and believable tension from the very start. Naomi's character is so wonderfully complex and going with her on her journey of self discovery and self healing while she tries to navigate the possibility of being able to have a real relationship with Ethan and his job as a rabbi, was extremely refreshing. Her modern intimacy course held lots of advice that could actually translate to real life, and watching her attempt to take her own advice was a fun ride. There were a few very steamy scenes which were chef's kiss. I was kind of expecting more after how hyped the first book was, but I have not read the first book. It is next on my list cause I need more of this world. Highly, HIGHLY recommend this book.

What a fun and refreshing read. I thought that the concept was very relevant and the author did a fantastic job presenting topics that tend to be a little taboo. I honestly think that she blended the two topics of religion and sex very well.

I did struggle at times with Naomi. Her character growth was great but she was hard for me to relate too. Ethan was AMAZING and has become one of my favorite book boys.

If you are looking for a swoon worthy romance that will help educate you in a fun way I would definitely recommend this one.

It’s early yet but I can safely say that The Intimacy Experiment is one of my favorite books of the year. Naomi and Ethan grabbed my heart from the very first page and didn’t let go. Their story is engaging, sex-positive, tender, sensual, and totally addictive. Naomi is a former porn star turned co-CEO of Shameless, an inclusive sex education start-up. Ethan is a former physics teacher who became a rabbi of a Reform synagogue. You read both of those correctly. How could I resist seeing what Rosie Danan would do with such a pairing? She knocked me off my feet, that’s what she did.

Naomi has a tough outer shell that hides her vulnerable core. She was hurt at a pivotal age by someone she trusted and was let down in the aftermath by those who should have protected and supported her. She’s as prickly as a cactus but with a heart that cares deeply. I loved her intelligence, wicked sense of humor, her strengths and her flaws. I especially loved her commitment to inclusive sex education, sex positivity, and respect for sex workers. She’s not the kind of heroine you see in romance novels which is a shame, because if you write a character as well as Danan does Naomi then she’s someone I want to read about all day every day. As for Ethan… Be still my heart; he’s a swoon-worthy hero. Ethan’s kindness, patience, and love of learning made me smile and sigh. He’s good down to his bones and so earnest it disarms Naomi. On paper they shouldn’t work but people are so much more than the basics. Naomi and Ethan are perfect together. Their romance grabbed my heart because they become so vulnerable with each other. There’s sizzling sensuality and banter, of course, but there’s also tenderness, sweetness, and the letting down of walls. I hated to put this book down because I was so invested in Ethan and Naomi’s story.

Ethan is a rabbi whose synagogue is failing and when he meets Naomi at a teaching conference they team up to host a seminar on modern intimacy. It will give Ethan a chance to bring new members into the synagogue and it gives Naomi the lecturer experience she wants when higher ed institutions keep rejecting her. The seminar gives more to them and their local Jewish community than either could have imagined. I loved how freely they discussed all aspects of intimacy; there’s emotional honesty in every part of The Intimacy Experiment which is part of what makes the story so appealing.

I can’t talk about The Intimacy Experiment without mentioning how wonderfully done the Jewish representation is. As a Reform Jew from L.A. this story makes my heart so happy because I see in this book places and people I know. But Danan writes in such a way that no matter where you’re from or what you believe, you can connect with these characters and their journey. This book has heart and lots of it. I cannot recommend The Intimacy Experiment enough and I am chomping at the bit to read more of Rosie Danan’s work!

A porn star and a rabbi walk into a bar. But it’s not a joke.

Everyone might think it is, and so they keep it to themselves – although, is there anything to keep to themselves? They couldn’t possibly be interested in one another, could they?

Naomi, a former porn star and current sex education activist, is used to facing judgment. She has been ever since she was in high school when her ex-boyfriend sent her nude photos around her entire school, and everyone turned on her. Now she doesn’t let anyone get close enough to hurt her.

Well, until Ethan. At a conference, in hopes of securing a position in higher education, Naomi is propositioned by Ethan – thinking, 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 it had to do with her expertise, but being quite mistaken. He works at a synagogue and is looking for ways to recruit new and younger members – and what better way than a seminar on Modern Intimacy. But can they come clean about their feelings and practice what they preach to his congregants? Can they be honest with themselves about what they actually want? Or will it all crash and burn?

I’ll be honest – at first, I kind of expected this to be a train wreck. But I actually fell in love with this story. The number of lessons woven into this one, trying to emphasize empowerment and identity exploration is powerful. More than that, though, I personally grew up Jewish – currently identify (kind of) as culturally Jewish – and I loved how this book presented ways of identifying and aligning with a faith without having to be 100% behind it. Without having to let it take over your identity. That faith is supposed to be a part of you, and you get to determine just how much.

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 5/5 stars

Rosie Danan became one of my auto-buy authors after just one book and now with her follow-up, The Intimacy Experiment, she exceeded my expectations. I did not know if she could top The Roommate, but she definitely did with this sweet, swoonworthy romance. I have read so many romance novels, but Danan can craft a story that I have never read before.

The Intimacy Experiment tells the story of Naomi, a former porn star turned co-founder of a hugely successful sex education video service, and Ethan, a rabbi of a struggling synagogue. When Naomi wants to get into live lecturing sex education, she struggles to be taken seriously by higher ed. Ethan takes a chance and hires Naomi to teach a seminar series on Modern Intimacy in order to attract more millennials to the faith. Of course, complications arise when they develop feelings for each other.

There are so many things that I loved about this story, but I especially loved that with Ethan and Naomi, there was a spark when they first met, but it wasn’t a dramatic meet-cute or insta-love. Instead, you got to read as two very different people slowly fall in love with who the other person is, not just how they look or seem. It was a very realistic development of a relationship and, also, ADORABLE.

Rosie Danan excels at creating characters that you love immediately. From the main characters to the supporting characters, you love them all. We met Naomi in The Roommate and I couldn’t wait to read her story. She is a very spiky, aloof character at first glance and then you see that all of her barbs and intimidating behavior is protecting a very vulnerable person. Meanwhile, Ethan wears cardigans with elbow patches and that is like my book boyfriend crack. He is dreamy. He is perfect. He must be protected at all cost.

The character development. The speeches. The humor. I love it all. The Intimacy Experiment is a heart-warming, sweet, and steamy romance.

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Intimacy Experiment absolutely owns me! This is a companion novel to The Roommate, so we know Naomi from the start. She’s a tough woman, who has built some pretty tough walls around herself. Our hero is Ethan. We meet him very early on, and he’s an absolute cinnamon roll.

There were several things that I loved about this novel. This is a great example of romance novels doing serious emotional work in the story. While the plot of <em>The Intimacy Experiment</em> does have an outside issue, the progression of the plot happens through character development.

In The Roommate, we meet Naomi, and she’s intimidating as hell. She’s a former adult film star and ex to Josh Darling. She doesn’t fall into the stereotypical cliche of ex-lover, though, and it’s so refreshing. She comes to really appreciate Clara, and they become extremely close when they all go into business together.

The Intimacy Experiment opens with Naomi wanting to teach sex education in a classroom environment, but no one wants to hire her. After a particularly impassioned speech at a workshop, she’s approached by a very handsome man with a teaching opportunity.

Cue the awkwardness…

He’s a Rabbi and wants Naomi to teach a Modern Intimacy class for his synagogue. He believes this will help draw in new membership and provide an alternative form of outreach. At first, Naomi doesn’t take him up on his offer, but with some nudging from Clara, she eventually says yes.

It doesn’t hurt that Ethan is extremely hot, but obviously off-limits. Of course, we all know how those forbidden fruit situations work, don’t we?

Throughout the novel, Naomi and Ethan work through their emotional baggage, and following the syllabus for Modern Intimacy, they have open discussions about their wants and needs in a relationship.

One thing I absolutely adore about this book is the open communication. Sure, there’s a slip-up early on about Naomi playing matchmaker for Ethan, but it doesn’t last. This novel is truly about them getting together and loving each other for who they are. Nothing more. Nothing less.

There’s such beauty in it.

Danan wraps this all around their shared religion and how they’ve made their way back to it. It feels authentic and earnest without being overbearing. Ethan is such a great hero in this novel, and he adores Naomi for everything she is, and he doesn’t hold anything against her.

I loved that Naomi was able to reclaim her stolen youth when she returned back to her high school toward the end of the novel. It was a true full circle moment for her, and it was executed perfectly. The way she finished the lecture series there was incredible. I cried because I felt like she was finally getting that release from her past, but also for that one girl crying in the audience. The idea that someone needed to hear what she was saying was this amazing insert for the reader to take those words in and hold them in their heart.

As for the chemistry between Naomi and Ethan? It’s off the freaking charts! I don’t know how she did it, but my gawd, the build-up for them was sexy as hell. I love how she had the intimacy between them not only be sex either. When they finally got together, though? FIREWORKS. These were some of the most on-fire sex scenes I’ve read in a while.

<em>The Intimacy Experiment</em> is amazing, and I truly hope you give it a read!

A Rabbi and a porn Star? Wow, never saw that coming, I enjoyed this little “experiment”
A lot, it was so much fun!

It is the adorable sequel to The Roommate (which I never read...) about Naomi, a former porn actor and founder of a positive sex start-up, who is asked by Ethan, a hunky single Rabbi, to teach a modern intimacy class at Ethan’s synagogue. Yup. A book about a porn actor and a Rabbi. This book is the perfect romcom with so much chemistry between such opposite personalities and Ethan is the absolutely perfect book boyfriend. Naomi and Ethan are so well developed that it feels like they are friends and they totally fit together so perfectly like Luke and Lorelei or Jim and Pam. And, of course there is 🔥!! There are also so many moments about personal growth, inner strength, and self discovery that added some depth to the adorable love story. And two Jewish protagonists is a bonus - I love to see the representation. I can’t wait for the chats and now I need to read The Roommate.

All the feels for The Intimacy Experiment! Naomi deserved her book and Rosie Danan delivered. So so good!

I always have a bit of nervousness reading a sophomore book after an amazing debut, and I’m here to tell readers not to worry about that with The Intimacy Experiment. Naomi is a fantastic, prickly yet vulnerable heroine who opens herself up to the possibilities of what could be with Ethan. Change is the strongest theme of the book - change for both of them with this relationship, their workshops, the synagogue, how they approach work and how to build a life around it. Change is their strength. The pacing is steady as they begin their will-they-or-won’t-they dance and once they’re in, it’s adorable and sexy.
It looks at the prejudice against sex work that Naomi continues to fight. I appreciated that the book is careful not to make Ethan into a purifying type of figure (because he’s a rabbi). He has his own history, he’s not perfect, he has no interest in changing anything about her. Both of their personal changes are on their own initiative and happen before and after they get together. It’s really well balanced in terms of character development and story development. Readers will be thrilled with this contemporary follow-up to the Roommate.