I am just going to say it. I think I might like this better than The Roommate. I never expected to love Naomi so much after her hard exterior image in the first book, but watching her embrace both parts of her life and learn to love Ethan was just so rewarding and warm. I loved how swoony and wonderful Ethan is and how his life as a rabbi contrasted so hard with hers but complimented it so much. This is the kind of book that I tell my friends to buy half way through reading.

DNF at 20%. I really enjoyed The Roommate and was excited for The Intimacy Experiment but unfortunately it wasn’t for me.

I felt that Naomi came off as a caricature rather than feeling like a fully realized character. From Clara telling her “You can wear one of those jumpsuits that make you look like you’re gonna murder everyone and then use their blood for your lipstick” to repeatedly telling us how irresistible she is - including telling us she can’t calm her breathing and stop drawing attention to her chest because “her chest is one of the most recognizable in the country.”

I’ve been trying to give this more time to grow on me but I think this is just a case of wrong reader/book combo. Thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for the advance reading copy.

The Roommate was one of my favorite books of 2020, so to say I was excited for The Intimacy Experiment would be a massive understatement! Once I started this book and realized our hero was a Jewish man, a rabbi specifically, and that the amazing Naomi Grant was also Jewish? I was literally jumping with joy - I have been clamoring for more Jewish representation in books FOREVER, so to see this so wonderfully represented in one of my most anticipated reads was more than I could ask for.

Once again, Danan has written an amazing story that will capture your heart and enough steamy scenes to make you blush (less than The Roommate though) - I cannot recommend this one enough.

Thank you to Berkley Romance for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

Just your average romance featuring a sex educator and former adult performer (aka porn star), and a dedicated rabbi trying to bring new life to his synagogue. Naomi is shocked when rabbi Ethan approaches her to lead a series of classes on modern intimacy at his temple, but she's intrigued enough to agree. Things start small, but the two cause strain with conservative members and the community. And the sparks between them aren't helping matters.

I enjoyed The Roommate, the previous book in this series, but I liked this even more. I'm not sure what Danan's religious background is, but her characters have some open-minded and heartfelt conversations about faith and intimacy. It wasn't what I expected, but I enjoyed it even more for it. (Even if the cover art is still letting the book down. Seriously, please consider reissuing these with covers that don't look like someone is just learning Photoshop.)

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own.

The chemistry was off the charts in this sweet and spicy take on modern dating, intimacy, and relationships.

I loved this book! It had me laughing out loud, relating to the characters, and wanting to read more. I also adored how heartfelt and empowering this story was. At its core, it’s a story about finding yourself and what you want out of life.

Hands down, Danan writes some of the most refreshing characters who are all so different but just downright lovable.

4.25/5

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.*

This book is not what I was expecting. I had a hard time separating the details, especially religious, from my own personal experience but I really appreciated the topics and conversations that the author was bringing up. I love when romance book can dig into serious topics and curiosities that people are dealing with on a daily basis. I thought this book did a really great job and discussing what modern intimacy looks like. Though the combination of his role as a Rabbi and their relationship was a struggle for me based on my own personal beliefs and experiences, I really enjoyed the relationship between Ethan and Naomi. I appreciated the way that Danan wrote their connection, the baggage and issues they had to deal with, their chemistry and their insecurities. They felt real and raw.

The Intimacy Experiment is a romance novel that expertly weaves chemistry and heat with deeper explorations of faith and judgement. What could have easily wound up as a bunch of cheap shots at religion was actually a careful and nuanced depiction of what it means to find your way to and through a faith community. All of that, and it was also a hilarious, spicy, sexy rom com! I loved it, and I can't wait to see what Rosie Danan does next.

What an absolute gem of a romance book.

I'll be honest and say that Danan's first book The Roommate didn't do it for me. So, my expectations for The Intimacy Experiment were pretty low. Wow! They should've been high because this book deserves all the love and hype.

Naomi and Ethan are the cutest couple. The tension between them was just amazing. It was done in an incredible way.

I also want to note that I loved the Jewish representation in this book. I was a little skeptical at first because, honestly, who wants to read about a religious leader in a romance book? Ethan is a rabbi so I was definitely thrown off. I just didn't want to read about the personal life of a rabbi - it just made me feel funny. BUT! Danan handles it all really well. It doesn't seem awkward at all.

I loved Naomi's connection with Judaism and how that's explored.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the gifted copy of this book; all opinions are my own.

CW: antisemitism, revenge porn, slut shaming, open door romance

After reading THE ROOMMATE, I was so happy to see that Naomi was getting her own book. I was anticipating the same level of steam, but was surprised to find that it’s more focused on self-love and community … and I absolutely loved it!

Naomi is such a complex, smart character: driven, fierce, loyal and tough. She portrays a hard exterior to the world and I really enjoyed being in her head and seeing those walls start to come down. Ethan is the absolute sweetest; I adored him! He’s compassionate and optimistic: the opposite (and perfect match!) to Naomi. I truly enjoyed them as a couple and watching their relationship blossom amidst the challenges thrown their way.

I really appreciated the focus on spirituality, Judaism and organized religion in general. I think Danan does a great job of educating the reader on these topics without coming across as preachy or feeling like the story is solely focused on religion.

The Initimacy Experiment is a thought provoking, unique contemporary romance that I would highly recommend!

I know so many people are going to love this book but unfortunately it just wasn't for me. Maybe her next book.

After reading The Roommate by Rosie Danan, I knew I was in for some steam and wit in the second installment of the series, The Intimacy Experiment. What I wasn't expecting was a journey of self-discovery, religion, and the strife of societal expectation all rolled into one.

The story centers around a young rabbi named Ethan Cohen and porn star Naomi Grant. Yes, you read correctly. If this description alone doesn't at least intrigue you, I'm not quite sure what will. It seems easy enough to assume this story is embedded with sex and religion and if you assume this just as I did, you would be wrong.

It is novel rich with feeling, depth, and an added bonus of hilarious dialogue.

However, these reasons are not why I ended up thoroughly engaged. I believe that it is essential to stop judging one's work on what the past has dictated it to be. A rabbi and/or sex industry worker have both had a very singular narrative in depictions past. Here, Danan does an exquisite job of diversifying each character far beyond what you would expect. She shows that what matters in this world and today's society is WHO you are, not WHAT you do.

<i>"No one really talked about how so much of letting other people in involved listening to yourself."</i>

Furthermore, the growth and ultimate chemistry between Naomi and Ethan gave me those much needed butterflies in a time where I have been LOVING escapism. Definitely recommending this to all of you, my girlfriends, and guy friends alike who are looking for something that is just different enough mixed in with welcome familiarity.

Thank you to Berkley Books, Penguin Books, NetGalley, and Rosie Danan for this advanced reader's copy.

*Sigh* I loved this book. I was in a slump before this and it turns out all I needed was a retired-porn-star-turned-CEO and an eager rabbi to fall in love to get me out of it.

There is so much to love about this book, but my favourite part has to be the sheer complexity Danan brings to her characters. Yes, Naomi is a boss bitch who doesn't need anyone's approval-but seeing her accept her vulnerabilities and acknowledge that the distance she put between her current life and her past is okay? *Chef's kiss*. And as a love interest, I loved everything about Ethan. His overthinking, his soliloquizing, his persistence and lack of fear, made for an interesting love story that wasn't just about falling in love, but about examining what love is and the faith both people have to have in the other. Perhaps my favourite part though, was the inclusion of both Naomi and Ethan's other relationships, these being the jobs they are both so passionate about. I loved that they were so much more beyond their relationship.

And I loved seeing Clara and Josh again. Because I love them too. At this rate, I'll love anyone Rosie Danan decides to put in front of me. And I'm not mad about that.

Thank you to Berkley Pub and NetGalley for a gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

When I read the blurb of this book, I was really intrigued! A ex porn star with a rabbi!? Could there be a more unlikely couple? However, Ethan and Naomi really worked for me. I really liked seeing Naomi shed her cold exterior and work things out with Ethan as a couple. I thought Danan did a great job educating us on Judaism without making the story preachy or religion focused. Instead, I thought it did a great job highlighting the shift various religions must face as the world changes everyday. I personally learned a lot and appreciate this as a unique and thought provoking contemporary romance.

IRL everyone wants a nice Jewish boy, right? But book boyfriends, they have BAGGAGE, they brood A LOT, and sometimes they're not even very nice. Well, I am here to tell you that Ethan Cohen is is now my nice Jewish book boyfriend and I couldn't be happier. If you'd like one too, please read this book ;)

I loved this one! While it's a follow up to The Roommate it could not be more different. This story relies much less heavily on sex and really focuses on self-love, community and faith. As someone who was raised Jewish, it was very refreshing to find a book that told the story of a modern Rabbi finding love (and himself...awww) - as too many Jewish stories are just downright sad.

This was sweet and hopeful and I just loved it. Naomi is an amazing character and I'm so glad she got her own book. Whether you loved The Roommate or just thought it was OK, I highly recommend picking this up, and prepare yourself for a MUCH slower burn.

An excellent follow-up to Danan's The Roommate! I loved seeing reform Judaism on the pages of a romance novel.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this amazing arc copy with me in exchange my honest review.

THIS BOOK IS STEAMY.
The chemistry between ex-porn star Naomi and rabbi Ethan Cohen is unconventional, juicy, scandalous, forbidden, intriguing, palpable combination you want to devour as quickly as possible! When our lovable rabbi hires Naomi Grant to speak about intimacy at his synagogue it puts his job on the line. Will their love survive against those emotional struggles including displeasure of congregation, judgmental public opinions?

I loved Rosie Danan's bold approach of the sensitive subjects such as belief, religion, grief, queerness, sexual awakening. I enjoyed this book more than The Roommate (which I also loved). I STAN NAOMI GRANT.

Looking forward to reading more from Rosie Danan

I was so glad to see Naomi get her own book! Her tenacity, spunk, and sureness of self made her one of my favorite characters in Rosie Danan’s debut novel, The Roommate.

The first thing you need to know about Naomi Grant is that she has been through some shit. She’s not afraid to take risks, she has learned to expect rejection and disgust from others, and she has learned to rely on herself because others cannot be trusted. She’s built-up walls as a defense mechanism allowing very few others to get close. Rather than wallow in self-pity or allow a heteronormative patriarchal society to drag her down she adapts to her situation. She takes that thing that tried to hurt her and uses it to her benefit. This is how she ended up as a sex worker in the adult film industry and is also how she ends up a co-founder of a sex-positive startup company.

The book begins at an educational conference where she is speaking frustratedly about how she’s having a difficult time booking speaking gigs because institutions are concerned about her background. Following her rant to the group, she is stunned and incredulous when a young (and very attractive) rabbi asks her to present a lecture series in collaboration with his synagogue as an effort to draw in new members and more young people. Her initial reaction? Yeah right, NO WAY!

Ethan Cohen is probably not what one immediately has in mind when asked to describe a rabbi. He doesn’t necessarily fit into a stereotypical mold and his non-traditional methods for bringing folks back to this dying shul have a tendency to get him in a bit of hot water with the more conservative members of the board. He is very progressive-minded, comes from a science background, and felt the surprising call to ministry following a family emergency. I love how compassionate he is and the way he looks at the world. For better or worse, Ethan is ready to shake things up and take some risks if it means saving his congregation and bringing folks back into connection with their faith.

I really enjoyed this book. Of course, I loved getting more Naomi, but I was surprised at how much I enjoyed Ethan’s character as well. To my recollection, this is the first time I’ve encountered a book with a Jewish protagonist, particularly one where their faith shapes so much of their life and perspective in a way that is front and center for the reader. I really enjoyed learning more about the character and a culture very different from my own. Danan’s characters and the way she wrote about their faith were so engaging that after finishing the book I was inspired to do more research to learn more on my own. I really liked the sense of community both within Naomi’s circle and Ethan’s circle and the way each of them was able to blend into each other’s settings without it having to be some kind of insurmountable obstacle of unnecessary drama. Another thing I loved were the snippets we got as the reader feeling like we were right there attending Naomi’s lectures. Those are important messages that I don’t think enough people grow up hearing and I appreciated the way they were included. Well done! I look forward to seeing what Danan writes next.

I was obsessed with Naomi in The Roommates so I’m so happy she got her own story. I will forever love this story because it deeply discusses sex work and stigma surrounding it. This time with the addition of a Rabbi.

I felt the ending was a little drawn out with Naomi’s last big move. Overall super cute story with a deeper meaning besides being a chick-lit book.

After reading The Roommate, I was so excited to find out that Naomi would be getting her own book. I knew there was so much more to her than the no nonsense tough exterior, and The Intimacy Experiment did not disappoint! I truly loved this opposites attract, forced proximity, friends to lovers romance from start to finish!

Naomi and Ethan couldn't have been more different on paper, but that actually made them so perfect for one another. They complemented each other so well and knew just when to push and when to be a shoulder to lean on. I could honestly fill this entire review with how much I loved and admired each of them. Naomi with her fierceness, drive, and loyalty. Her character arc was one of the best I've read and I was rooting for her from the beginning. Ethan with his compassion, devotion, and optimism. Ethan was every cinnamon roll fantasy come to life and I loved the way that he loved Naomi. They are so wonderfully human and every misstep only endeared me to them more. It's definitely a slow burn between them, but I cannot stress how much the wait was worth it.

I really appreciated the discussion and introspection about faith and spirituality. It never came across preachy to me and balanced the story very well. I highlighted so many passages and I loved how much this story made me feel and reflect. It was wonderful to see Josh and Clara too and get glimpses of their continued happily ever after. I also have a huge girl crush on Leah (Ethan's sister) and nearly died of laughter when she gave him dating advice and recommended that he avoid using biblical stories or science equations. I'm really hoping that this isn't the last time we see her. The Intimacy Experiment is truly a book not to be missed!

CW: revenge porn, slut shaming, antisemitism

*I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book*

The Intimacy Experiment is a novel with lots of promise. Unfortunately, I felt that Danan's sophomore book didn't quite deliver on the expectations I had.

I'll start with what did work for me in The Intimacy Experiment. First, the characters. Naomi is a bad-ass boss bitch and Ethan is a cute cinnamon roll and neither of those things were the conflict between the two. I am a big fan of contemporary romances which portray successful women and men who are not intimidated by that success. The lack of conflict around various aspects of Naomi's history - specifically her bisexuality and past sex work - is also refreshing. Both Naomi and Ethan feel like real people to me. Their backstories are believable and fleshed out and their corresponding baggage made sense.

There are quite a few funny moments that I highlighted as I was reading. Ethan's sister Leah offered quite a few of those moments, but in a natural, younger sister teasing kind of way. The humor doesn't feel forced. Also, I really liked the cultural aspects. The scene with Naomi in the kitchen, trying to bake challah for the Shabbat meal prep, the synagogue baseball team, the friendly gatherings after Shabbat services - these ended up being some of my favorite parts of the book, and similar to the humor, there's a nice flow to them.

Overall my issues with The Intimacy Experiment lie mostly with the plotting. The pacing of the book is strange - there's a "be my matchmaker moment" of Ethan asking Naomi to help him find a girlfriend, but it doesn't happen until nearly halfway through the book. Then, it doesn't really get to play out all the way before it's quickly dropped for a different plotline, that of Naomi and Ethan mirroring the lecture series with their life.
There are multiple threads that seem to be setting up conflict, such as Naomi's mother not being Jewish, and Ethan feeling like he abandoned his family after the death of his father. But both of these are mentioned once or twice and then not brought up again - there is no wrap-up to show how these apparent conflicts were resolved.

However, my biggest frustration was with the ending. In the last fifth of the book, there are not one, not two, but three different monologues by our main characters. So much of the emotional work is done through speechifying, and it was honestly such a let down. I wanted to see Naomi and Ethan together working through the conflicts, and instead I got Naomi or Ethan talking to rooms of people. In one of Naomi's scenes, Ethan wasn't even there!

All in all, I did enjoy The Intimacy Experiment up until the last 20% or so, but the ending fell flat for me. I would recommend this book for those who read and enjoyed The Roommate, as long as you know what you're getting into.

CW: Flashbacks to Naomi's high school experience include an anti-Semitic comment, as well as non-consensual sharing of her private photos by an ex-boyfriend ("revenge porn").

Review will be posted on Smexy Books closer to publication.