Laura Starkey's 'The Spare Room' felt like a familiar rom-com experience—a cozy friends-to-lovers story that, while enjoyable, was also pretty predictable. Rosie is a relatable FMC, who embarks on a self-discovery journey, accompanied by the almost too-perfect love interest, Aled.

Despite the predictability of the plot, 'The Spare Room' serves as a decent, light read. Aled and Rosie's characters, along with their friends, were fun and lighthearted, and the improved mother-daughter relationship towards the end adds a heartwarming touch. While it wasn't an instant favourite, this rom-com delivers an enjoyable love story for anyone looking for an easy and lighthearted read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advanced digital copy for an honest review.

The Spare Room is a really sweet romantic comedy with a quirky lead and a very dishy love interest. A great holiday read recommendation.

I really enjoyed this book. Loved the main character and how she grew as a person. Would recommend this book

I thought this was so genuinely cute! This was my first book from Laura and I already want more! At time I thought the characters were a little bit immature and not well fleshed out but the plot made it all worth it, in my opinion. Aled was amazing, I just wish we could see a little more of him throughout it. But the slow burn was BURNING, I loved it so damn much.

Lovely little sweet rom-com. Good read that I finished in a couple of days. Slightly predictable but still good. Left me smiling and would make a great holiday read.

I really wanted to like this but I really hated the characters. I found them immature and so frustrating to read. The romance wasn't there for me either -- it reads more like women's fiction.

This was a great read and a true rom-com! Rosie and Alex end up rooming together and comedy ensues. This one had all the feels. Thoroughly enjoyed!

There's comedy with just the right amount of family drama. I wish it had a little more romance in it. I'm excited to read her future books.

It does exactly what it sets out to do, a palate cleanser of a cozy friends to lovers romcom. Rosie was a very sweet character, her journey of self felt so plausible and her neuroses relatable. Aled is so perfect he's unbelievable, no real life man is this wonderful - it might as well have been a fantasy novel...! All in all, a nice and sweet read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are my own

Cute rom-com story that I'm glad I got to read. I had a lot of anger against James, that man is truly a lugnut. The writing is quite perfect in the way of the amount of buildup and nonnecessary information. Good book

After being dumped, and leaving her job, Rosie needs a flat mate to help he keep up with rent payments. Aled moves in while work is done on his flat upstairs, but he has some secrets. What will happen when she finds them out, after being lied to before.

I really enjoyed this book. Rosie is an immediately charming character who you want to find her happy ever after and its clear, that won't be with her selfish boyfriend who is not only mean to her, but treats her like a doormat. Enter handsome Aled - the new landlord who is quiet, shy and, mysterious . As Rosie's life implodes when her boyfriend ups and leaves her with no money to cover the rent he is supposed to pay half of and as she quits her job, she is desperate and right then, along comes Aled, who rents her spare room and saves her from having to lose her beloved flat. Rosie is determined to keep the relationship platonic and to keep Aled at a distance but sometimes, life has other ideas. So sweet, I really enjoyed it. Would be a perfect holiday read!

"The Spare Room" by Laura Starkey is a lovely read. It seamlessly weaves together warmth, depth, and thoughtfulness, making it a cozy read from start to finish.

When the main character, Rosie, plans for a perfect evening crumble (along with her love life), she encounters heartbreak and the challenge of making ends meet. Enter Aled, her upstairs neighbor in need of temporary shelter. What begins as a practical solution leads both on a captivating journey of what-ifs in life and love. With its heartwarming premise and endearing characters, this book delivers a charming escape into the joys and surprises of unexpected connections.

A contemporary romance novel that follows the story of Rosie, who is unexpectedly dumped by her boyfriend and needs to rent out her spare room to make ends meet. Aled, her upstairs neighbour, needs a place to stay while his own place is being renovated, and they agree to become flatmates. Rosie is determined to stay single after her breakup, but spending time with Aled starts to change her mind. As they navigate their new living situation, they begin to develop feelings for each other. However, they must confront their pasts and insecurities before they can take the next step in their relationship.

I absolutely loved this book! Straight from the beginining I didn’t want to put it down, It starts with Rosie and James living together and we learn of how their relationship works. The building they live in’s owner passes away and it has a new owner.
A mysterious man catches Rosie literally as she falls and she wonders who he is. The relationship plays out with James and we see how this new stranger fits into her life.
I will definitely be looking out for mor books by Laura. It’s a really enjoyable book to read

This is such a sweet little rom-com palette cleanser

The FMC is someone who can't help root for after a lot of knockdowns in her life.

The MMC is a sweet little black cat of love interest and a very sweet story.

Perfect little love story to pick you up after a hard day

I enjoyed this book despite it being quite a predictable read.

I enjoyed the characters of Aled and Rosie and their friends. I also like the way that the relationship between Rosie and her mom improved towards the end of the book.

It wasn't anything new but I still found it a light, enjoyable read.

Brilliantt book loved it. Couldnt put it down! Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy, Highly recommend

Rosie and James have been together 10 years and she finally thinks he is going to propose. Instead he breaks up with her via a letter and immediately leaves their flat, leaving Rosie without a partner and a roommate. Aled, who recently moved in upstairs, offers a solution - he will move in with Rosie while building work is going on in his flat. It’s the ideal solution for them both, until they realise their feelings may be more complicated than just roommates.

This is a fun, standard romance with two very likeable characters who discover feelings for each other. Rosie is total sunshine, whilst Aled struggles to speak to most people except the students he teaches, but finds himself able to open up to Rosie.

A lot of the book focuses on fat phobia and Rosie’s self worth being so linked to her physique. As someone curvier than average I was a little taken aback in how accurate it felt to my own experiences, but also how much I didn’t really want to read my inner thoughts on the page. This is no issue of the author’s of course, and credit to her insight into Rosie’s character - but just wasn’t something I’d usually choose to read.

This is a closed door romance which are seldom for me, especially when the book hints at us getting more than a literal shut spare room door in the face come the time for these two to get it on. I also found it a little repetitive at times with Rosie’s inner monologue, and a very dramatic lack of communication/dramatic chase across the country drive, but overall it was fun.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an arc of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book is so cuteee- It was seriously so sweet I was smiling with every interaction Aled and Rosie had. This slow burn was so worth the wait. I loved the pining and the roommates to lovers dynamic they had.

I felt so bad for everything Rosie had to go through with her family and ex, but I am so happy she found Aled and his group of friends. The man was absolutely perfect - a professor who read books, watched romcoms, wore glasses, and recited poetry for her. 🫠 He was such a hopeless romantic. And Rosie’s character development was absolutely perfect! special thanks to the author and netgalley for the arc copy of this book in exchange for my honest review 4/5 stars!!