I featured this book in a new release video prior to publication and was very excited to read something compared to Luster!! The description of this book is exactly what I want to be reading [and may I say to whomever wrote this synopsis BRAVA!!! "Whet" ? "titillates" ?? You need a raise]. This is the toxic situationship of my book dreams [definitely not my real life dream but that's why we read sometimes lol]. Will update when final review posts, but I'm expecting 5 stars!

Do you love watching reality dating shows where horrible people who need to be separated immediately are constantly crawling back to each other? Have you ever been inexplicably drawn to someone you actually hate simultaneously? Do you love toxic drama from afar? If yes, you’ll devour this book as quickly as I did. I hated both main characters. They weren’t smart. They weren’t nice. It was perfect. If trash television had a baby with a literary agent- itd be this book. I’m not convinced this review is selling the book but the people who get it get it.

Obsession, love, or just plain dysfunction? Noa and Teddy’s romance is a crazy ride. Noa meets Teddy Rosenfeld at a friend’s wedding and becomes obsessed with him to the point of securing a job at his company. As told from Noa’s point of view, their relationship is super intense and reveals so much about each of them. I had to keep reading just to find out what ultimately happens. Noa’s stream of consciousness was this whole book and in the best way. I loved this story. Thank you NetGalley for providing the ARC.

Rosenfeld
By Maya Kessler

This is the story of a young ambitious woman (Noa) and an older successful man (Teddy). The two meet at a wedding and Noa ends up working for Teddy – and having lots and lots of sex with him. The whole book revolves around who exactly has the upper hand in the relationship.

Somehow I just couldn't get into this book. Maybe because of there being not much else to the story than the sex and the struggle for dominance. The over the top use of the f- word did little to improve the appeal.

I gave up about half way through the book.

This is a book about two people that are absolutely insufferable - the FMC has some severe family/mommy issues, and the MMC just tolerated way too much from her. Like both characters could benefit greatly from some good old therapy but instead we got some incredibly depraved and intense encounters!

It was spicy, and the intensity of their hook-ups were a delight to read. The sexual attraction was truly off the charts and there was some really good dialogue. All in all I truly ate this book up!

Thank you to NetGalley, Avid Reader Press/Simon & Schuster, and Maya Kessler for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

This was a strange read for me. Overall, I liked it in the end, but there were points in the book that I just couldn’t see what the author was doing. The way it was written in the ARC, I’m not sure if this is the same in the finished book, was in short, choppy dialogue without punctuation. It was confusing, so I switched to an audiobook and it was much easier to follow and I liked it so much better. Definitely thought provoking so it would be great for a book club discussion!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avid Reader Press for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I'm not sure what to think of these characters, the plot...all of it. At first I felt like I'd missed something about the connection between Teddy and Noa, but after more reading, I don't think I did. I felt really confused about the writing and pacing.

I don't know if I can recommend this book right now - I'm going to have to give the book some rest and try again.

If you’re looking for a dramatic, messy and titillating novel, this one’s for you.

Noa Simon is a young woman involved in a very tumultuous relationship with an older man. Teddy Rosenfeld is a successful CEO whom she meets at a wedding and after a very spicy encounter there, these two are off to the races. When Teddy offers Noa a job at his company, I knew things were going to turn complicated for these two but yet I could not stop reading.

Despite Teddy’s initial reluctance to have a relationship with Noa, professional and personal lives become increasingly intertwined. Noa could be unlikeable at times and Teddy was often aloof but I found this to be a very interesting debut novel. This often graphic book is not for everyone (it is described as a “love story for adults” after all!) but Kessler is an absolutely an author to watch.

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy in return for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Rosenfeld by Maya Kessler explores the intense and tumultuous relationship between Noa Simon, a determined filmmaker, and Teddy Rosenfeld, a successful but emotionally guarded CEO. The book dives into themes of power, desire, and self-discovery, but ultimately leaves much to be desired.

Noa’s single-minded pursuit of Teddy, paired with the intoxicating chemistry between them, is undeniably magnetic, and the tension builds in a way that keeps the reader engaged. However, the story's focus on their volatile romance, driven by sexual tension and psychological games, sometimes borders on repetitive. While Kessler’s writing is bold and visceral, there are moments where the narrative feels a bit too fixated on the physical aspects of their relationship, overshadowing deeper emotional exploration.

The book raises interesting questions about the complexity of desire and self-destruction, but the characters' inner conflicts and backstories, though hinted at, often feel underdeveloped. Noa's journey toward self-realization and the dark secrets Teddy harbors promise deeper layers, yet at times, the plot feels more like a study in obsession than a meaningful exploration of human connection.

For readers who enjoy high-stakes, provocative romances that test the boundaries of power dynamics and personal desires, Rosenfeld offers an enticing read. However, those seeking a more nuanced exploration of relationships may find themselves wanting more.

I liked the beginning quarter of this but then it just seemed dramatic and overblown for its own sake. It was also WAY, way too long. The same thing just kept happening over and over and I was so bored. I almost wish this were a novella with just the beginning because it was intriguing and mysterious at first. Hope you have better luck!

Rosenfeld comes out next week on November 19, 2024 and you can purchase HERE.

He's sitting by one of the white tables on the lawn, talking to his business partner. They laugh at something, but stop when everyone's asked to quiet down. The lighting dims and he watches the movie projected on the screen by the stage. Up until that moment, he has no idea that there's such a thing as me. Up until that moment, I have no idea that there's such a thing as him. But we're soon to find out.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the chance to read and review this e-galley.

Rosenfeld by Maya Kessler is perfect for readers who enjoyed All Fours by Miranda July. The writing is edgy; the characters, inexplicable. I found it hard to understand the characters' actions and motivations. Some of the action was even somewhat grotesque, reminiscint of American southern gothic writing like that of Carson McCullers.

I'm not quite sure how I feel about. Both main characters are pretty terrible, and I got whiplash from their relationship, but I did relate to Noa's self destructive tendencies. Overall, I thought it was decent, however I did not understand the ending.

Intense and rife with unlikable characters treating each other poorly. If that sounds appealing to you, give this a read!

This was translated into English and is noticeable as the dialogue is strange in some parts. Still, there is something compelling about the story… or perhaps I was just trying to figure out why Noa and Teddy would be into each other and trying to solve that mystery kept me engaged.

Thank you to Avid Reader Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.

Noa meets a businessman at a wedding and finds herself crazy attracted to him. They describe him as fat and she likes his teeth so I’m not sure what’s going on there. She’s in hers 20s and he’s in his 50s yet he’s the tease who keeps rejecting her advances. Hated the characters. Dont understand the attraction she has for him. Not a fan. Not for me. DNF’d

Well. I'm at a loss for words about this one. Noa and Teddy have an actively steamy relationship. It's also quite toxic and to be honest, I didn't really like either one of them. The plot more or less takes you from encounter to encounter so if that's your thing this will be the read for you. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Over to others.

At the very beginning of the book, our narrator is getting drunk at a wedding when she sees him. Rosenfeld. A fat, 50-something man, aloof and alone. He must exude power because she’s drawn to him. They have an exchange that ends up in a bathroom stall. It’s not what you think. Our narrator ends up working for his company, creating a film for investors. We follow the relationship.

My thoughts: I had high hopes for this one because it was billed as following a steamy, provocative relationship. Look, the steam and sex were there (that’s what the stars were for), but the story was……predictable. And where it wasn’t predictable it was flat. I always have to wonder if that is due to the translation, but it is hard to say. Look, don’t get involved with single 50-something elders when you are in your 20s. Just don’t do it. Especially if he/she is your boss.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Toxic relationships, unlikeable characters, average writing, and yet I couldn’t quit turning the pages. The positive, steamy and descriptive sex scenes. Once I finished, all I could think was, WTF did I just read.

My review is voluntary and all comments and opinions expressed are
my own.

Can these characters be more insufferable?? , I know that I was not the only one that was annoyed with their exchange in the beginning. Noa and Teddy were seriously meant to be with their craziness. I mean the steamy scenes were steaming, and some parts were weird, but I just never understood these characters it was hard to understand them, because this isn’t a love story and this book just leaves you with more questions all the way til the end. These two are very hot/cold so it gave this wild rollercoaster ride of emotions and I don’t like those rides, lol… most def was not the book for me.

The two most insufferable people you know decide to start sleeping together (a lot) instead of going to therapy. And reader, I ate up every crumb.

Sorry this book just did not grab my interest. The characters were self absorbed and mainly interested in sex. He was bossy and controlling. She seemed needy. Not my cup of tea.