This novel. There were parts I liked, and parts I disliked. Overall, the dislike won, but it was not all bad. There were so many elements that I didn’t like in this novel, although to its credit there was usually some minor redeeming elements at play; an explanation or justification was given even though it was very underwhelming. This novel tried, it truly did, and I have to give it some credit for that. It somehow felt very long and dragged despite being a relatively short novel, which isn’t a good thing.

The meet-cute was nice. The overall structure of the novel had a lot of potential. I think the characters had a lot of chemistry….. but that just made their utter refusal to get together more annoying.

This got a “C-“ from me, and I’m rounding down to 2-stars.

Nitpicks from me in no particular order:
-Cartoonishly bad boyfriend. I know its a common thing in romances to make the current love interest over-the-top awful to make the new love interest look better (and so we don’t feel bad for the former one), but honestly I always find it lazy and annoying.
-Why did they keep calling her straight? She had openly admitted she was into her?
-This novel somehow managed to have protagonists that were good at communicating sometimes yet also incredibly bad at communicating at other times. “Almost” like it changed moment to moment in order to serve the plot.
-Why did they wait so long to get together, particularly after “obstacles” were no longer in the way (did I avoid spoilers, lol?)? At a certain point I didn’t really see any good reason for the protagonists not getting together other than to drag out the novel.
-There was a side romance, and I hated it. It was objectively toxic and awful from what we saw, yet it was thrown in at the end as something we were supposed to be happy about?

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free copy. This honest review was left voluntarily.

This is a sweet and well-written romance with plenty of tension and emotion. Jess and Sydney’s connection is clear right from the start, and their journey from strangers to housemates—and eventually something more—keeps you hooked. Jess’s struggle with her feelings and Sydney’s hope make their story relatable and engaging. That said, once Austin is out of the picture, it takes too long for Jess and Sydney to finally get together, which can feel a bit frustrating. Even so, their chemistry is undeniable, and the ending is worth the wait. A solid 4 stars!

3,5 ⭐️
It started out really wonderfully and spontaneously on a train, but then it took a really long route to its destination.
A bit too long for me to be honest.
After a while there was simply no reason not to follow this attraction or give in to it.
However, Sydney has to suffer for a long time because Jess is reserved and unsure about dating a woman.
I didn't really understand why she kept the whole thing a secret from her best friend, even though she knew about the woman on the train.
Well, this meet-cute, very slow-burn romance is for anyone who likes to wait a long time for something really good.
Because it was good.
It was sweet and flirty and hot at the end.
Well written, but I had trouble warming to Jess.
Quite the opposite of Sydney and Chloe...but that's just me.
It was a nice love story.
Thanks to Bold Strokes Books and Netgalley and of course the Author for the Arc!

Very enjoyable and cute romance! I really liked the dynamic between Jess and Sydney, and I'm confused by other reviews saying they have no chemistry. I disagree, I think they have excellent chemistry and the book has a ton of banter and scenes between the two MCs. Sydney in particular I really liked, I loved her positive energy and outgoing personality.

There were a couple of minor things I disliked, mainly Jess staying with Austin for so long, and the conclusion was a bit of a stereotypical Hallmark romance ending.

Overall, however, I think this was a very sweet book. Enjoyable characters, good banter, and fun tropes make this book a solid 4.8/5 stars rounded up!

Claire Forsythe’s The Roommate is a heartfelt and refreshingly unique romance that delivers far more than its premise initially suggests. While the setup might seem familiar—two strangers navigating life as roommates—the story delves into unexpected depths, exploring personal growth, emotional obstacles, and the complexities of human connection.

Forsythe has a gift for creating relatable characters, and that’s where this book truly shines. The challenges faced by the protagonists feel authentic, with obstacles that are deeply human and easy to empathize with. Their journey, both individually and together, is compelling, and the emotional resonance ensures readers are fully invested in their story.

What sets The Roommate apart is its balance of romance and realism. While the romantic connection is undeniably engaging, the story also tackles themes of self-discovery, communication, and overcoming past traumas. Forsythe skillfully weaves these elements into a narrative that feels both modern and timeless.

Despite mixed reviews, this book is a standout for its relatability and the fresh take it brings to the romance genre. Forsythe’s ability to blend humor, heartache, and hope makes The Roommate an engrossing read that offers something for everyone. Whether you’re here for the romance or the emotional journey, this story delivers in all the best ways. A must-read for fans of contemporary romance with depth.

**| received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher Bold Strokes Books . All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**


The roommate is a story about two people with a chance encounter finding each other Back In one another’s lives.

Jess meets Sydney on a train in London and has an instant connection. They have to go their separate ways but plan to meet later that evening on the train. Sydney never showed up so Jess goes along her way.
But what chance- there is an open vacancy in the apartment Jess lives at and guess who ends up filling it?
You guessed it- Sydney.

Despite their initial attraction, Jess is in a relationship and also has never liked women before.

The story ends up being one of friendship, curiosity and finding oneself. It was a fun read overall and I personally enjoyed being able to see the struggle of both Jess and Sydney as they tried to figure out what they wanted and what they deserved. I felt on the page the feelings of Jess questioning who they were and battling everything she thought she knew. On the flip side, Sydney dealing with feelings with someone who was currently questioning themselves but also balancing self worth.

Ben was a cute aspect to the book. I also loved the way the story wrapped up in the end. Even though the connection is instant, I appreciated how the timing worked in the book. There was no rushed story and there relationship seemed organic for what situations they were in. There also was no big betrayal or third act common trope that was appreciated. Even though there was some miscommunication, it didn’t seem forced and I felt lime in the places it happened- I could see if happening like that in real life.

Absolutely brilliant book!
I am a big fan of this author and love the writing style!
I cant wait to read more!

2.5 ⭐

I had high hopes for this book, but it turned out to be a bit disappointing for me.

Several aspects didn’t work for me. I struggled to connect with Jess, despite my efforts. Her insistence on being straight, despite clear signs to the contrary, and her decision to stay with a boyfriend who was utterly insufferable, were frustrating. For nearly half the book, I found myself wanting to shake some sense into her. Sydney, at least, was a likable character.

The lack of chemistry between the main characters was another letdown. While their feelings were described, I couldn’t understand where they came from. That said, Ben was a good addition and brought some lighthearted moments to the story. I usually enjoy slow-burn romances, but this one felt like it dragged too long before reaching any meaningful connection.

Now, to the main reason for my low rating: Despite being a relatively short book, these 20 chapters felt unnecessarily long. This made it a challenging read at times. Additionally, the frequent changes in point of view, especially in the early chapters, were confusing. It often took a while to realize whose perspective I was reading until a name was mentioned.

Overall, this book had the potential to be something unique, but it missed the mark. I wouldn’t call it a bad book, but be prepared for a slow and occasionally frustrating read.

This book didn't catch me at all.

Since the start it has been a complicated and slow read for me even if it was a short book. The chapters are very long, thing that makes the read feel slower and more dense. This with the lack of space between lines makes you feel like choking at moments.

The change between POV is confusing at moments and sometimes you don't even know who you are reading until a name is mentioned. About the story, I didn't feel chemistry or connection between the MC's, and as long as it gets better around chapter 7 the continuous back and forth on the story is tiring and exhausting. Everything is so slow and at the last chapters so rushed.

<b>Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for gifting me with a free copy. Opinions are my own and are freely given.</b>