This book was a cozy read filled with tender moments, highlighting family bonds and the love within a found family. I especially enjoyed the setting and seamless scene transitions. Thank you very much for the arc!

Roommating by Meredith Schorr

Slow burn. Forced proximity. Single POV. Roommates to lovers. NYC setting. FMC is a librarian. Multi-generational friendship.

4.5/5 - ⭐️
1/5 - 🌶️

Sabrina is a grad student in Manhattan working as a library page. Her elderly roommate Marcia invites her grandson to move in with them in an attempt to repair her relationship with him. Tensions are immediately high between Sabrina and Adam. But then Marcia has a health scare. Her doctor advises her to choose one to live with. The competition is on to be the “best” roommate for Marcia. Will this ruin any chance Sabrina and Adam had at a relationship?

Roommating gives the perfect vibes for a summer patio read. Grab this book, a cup of cold sweet tea or iced coffee, a sunhat, and be transported to NYC. Sabrina, Marcia, Adam, and of course Rocket will have you forgetting all other responsibilities and completely immerse you in their story. I could not put this book down. It is the best combination of sweet, funny, and a lot of sizzling chemistry. Adam does get on my nerves a few times, but I can forgive him. I loved watching Marcia navigating dating and how to spend her third-act of life. This is something that has never been a topic in any of the books I have read before. I really enjoyed it. The representation of the LGBTQ+ community in an older generation was something I truly enjoyed as well. All the characters are lovable and the writing makes you feel like you really know them. This book definitely had me hooked from the first line; “My seventy-two-year-old roommate is a 10”. This only thing I wish for this book is that it was longer! I want to know what happens next for these characters so badly.

ARC provided via NetGalley for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

This book was SO DELIGHTFUL. If romcoms are your jam, add this to your TBRs. I had SUCH a good time reading it.

Sabrina, 20s, happily rents the spare room from Marcia, in her 70s. One day, Marcia lets Sabrina know her estranged grandson will be staying with them for a while, figuring out his life while getting to know his grandma. Sparks start to fly between Sabrina & Adam...

This book was funny and cute and I liked the characters immediately. I like how it was set in NY and actually felt like it. I love that they both work in a library - as a book lover (who briefly entertained the idea of being a librarian!), it felt like it was written for me. Early on, Sabrina even grabbed a children's book that I'd loved as a kid and forgot existed.

The book is sexy (open door), funny, and sweet. Out in June - but pre-order now!

This was a rollercoaster or emotions for me and not in a good way. I really wanted to love this book but it just wasn’t for me. I didn’t love any of the characters except Marcia. The main characters were lackluster and immature while the side characters were annoying and always meddling.

Here are my thoughts!

Liked:
- Marcia was wonderful! She was sassy and fun! I would have loved to hear more about her story and have her included in more of the plot.
- Sabrina: I really liked Sabrina as a main character until around the 70% mark. She was fun and independent while also being reliable and responsible for her age. She knew what she wanted to do and made sure to achieve it.

Didn’t like:
- The Plot: I don’t even know what the plot was tbh. It was so all over the place it really just felt like I was reading about someone’s life rather than working towards some goal.
- The Name Dropping: The constant name dropping of pop culture references, locations, current events and such was so distracting for me. It kind of took away from the story a bit and I don’t think will age the best with the book.
-Adam: UGH THIS MAN. I got nasty vibes from him from the start (similar to Gabe’s feelings) and I tried to hold out hope that he was a good guy. That all shattered when he was an asshole who told Sabrina she would be the one moving. EXCUSE ME?? He gave off entitled brat vibes and by the end of the story I could not stand him anymore. How Sabrina still had feelings for him after all he did/said is beyond me.
- The Romance (or lack there of): These main characters were TOO similar. They liked all the same things and were both hot. That’s it. We spent over half of the book with sexual tension to get like one or two scenes and then nothing. There is no way they will last together.

The premise of Meredith Schorr’s ROOMMATING is exactly the kind of quirky take on meet cutes that every romance reader should be able to appreciate. Girl meets a stand-in grandma, girl moves in with said grandma, girl becomes close with grandma, grandma’s grandson then moves in with both girl and grandma, grandson and girl fall in love. Cue those sparks (or something?)

Without veering into the world of spoilers, however, the love interest (ahem, grandson) in this leaves a lot to be desired. I can’t have been the only one reading this and wondering why we’re supposed to root for a happy ever after with this guy. (At least, I hope.)

Otherwise, I found this book to be easy to read, enjoyable, and engaging. Is it my favorite romance read this year? Well, no. But it is one that’s easy to get lost within, and that counts for something.

i want to thank netgalley and the publisher for this e arc in exchange for an honest review but i cannot get into this as much as i try. the cover is stunning though

This was an adorable story. I loved the sizzle, the characters and their connection. I really enjoyed the depth of this story too. Martha was a hoot. So we'll written and enjoyable. Thank you!

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for providing this book, with my honest review below.

Roommating has a fun premise (that I hope is a real thing) with younger and older potential roommates coming to mutually agreeable arrangements. In this case the older roomie is Marcia and the younger js Sabrina. The arrangement serves them both as Sabrina is finishing up her masters in MLIS and working at a Library may be her passion but doesn’t really pay well, while Marcia has a helper in all things tech and home, since the other young person (they being generally savvy in these areas) in her life, her grandson, is estranged due to her son not approving her bisexuality.

The pair are charming to read about and when Marcia’s hot grandson Adam enters the picture three actually isn’t a crowd but breeds good interrelationships for all. When Marcia’s health limits her to one younger roomie the story gets a little more fraught, however. Ultimately this is a feel good romance and lighter fiction book with some more heavy elements that kind of worked but were also kind of at odds with the lighter story. I did find the whole book satisfying and loved that all three characters represent home to each other.

I love a good forced-proximity romance, and Roommating had all the makings of a fun, flirty read—accidental roommates, a meddling grandma, and some top-tier bathroom run-ins (seriously, why is the bathroom always where the magic happens?). And while Sabrina and Adam definitely had chemistry, I just wished their story had a little more space to breathe.

Sabrina is super relatable—grad school stress, library job, zero time for romance. Adam is a bit of a lost soul, trying to “find himself” (which, let’s be honest, usually means flannel and big feelings). Their banter was cute, their shared love of books was swoon-worthy, and Marcia? An icon. However, the whole “who gets to stay in the apartment” battle felt a little over-the-top at times, and I found myself wanting more depth to their relationship beyond the sizzling tension.

That said, if you’re in the mood for a lighthearted rom-com with a cozy setting, an endearing grandma, and just enough steam to fog up a tiny NYC bathroom mirror, this one might be for you! Just be prepared for a few moments where the plot feels as tight as their shared apartment.

Thank you to Netgalley for approving me to be an ARC reader for such a fun romance story. Sabrina & Marcia feel like soul sisters that I discovered in this book. I love their dynamic and I love that Marcia brings so much life and joy to Sabrina’s routine.

I know the few first interactions we have are supposed to make us feel a certain way- backing Sabrina’s motives and wondering Who Is This Man who feels entitled to making all these judgement calls!!!! Ugh! Unfortunately that first impression never really left me. He came into a situation that he knew nothing about and tried to throw his grandson-status around to make Marcia see things his way. (Ugh!! Men!!)

I know the tension between Sabrina and Adam was natural and the sneaking around made the relationship fun. But I just found myself so annoyed that all of this fuss happened over Adam- who is shifty and noncommittal and territorial (not in a good way).

I fear if Adam didn’t reappear in Marcia’s life- Sabrina had no real personality or story that would’ve lead to romance of her own… if that makes sense?

All that to say- I love Marcia. And to hell with her stupid homophobic son.

Well I’ve been patiently waiting to get my hands on Meredith’s newest book and this did not disappoint! Roommating is a lighthearted rom com that felt like a love letter to nyc. As a native New Yorker, I loved all the references to my favorite city. Beyond that I loved the dynamic between Sabrina and Adam - it was flirty and tense at times but lots of fun. And I thought Marcia added so much to the dynamic - it’s not often that you get an older character as involved as Marcia was in such a unique stage in life. Overall, such a fun book and so worth the wait!

I have to admit this is my first Meredith Schorr book so I had zero expectations going in. After finishing “Roommating” sadly I don’t foresee myself picking up another one of her books for a while. Not that her writing was bad, and some of her previous books look intriguing. But I have way too much on my TBR right now to take a chance on just ok writing styled books.

I feel like I’m trending this review really negatively which I swear is not my intention. In regard to “Roommating” I did enjoy several aspects of the book. There were parts of this book that were really fun. However, there were parts that were also really unnecessary.

So let’s start with the Pros:
- I loved the relationship between Sabrina and Marcia. They weren’t just landlord and tenant. They were clearly amazing friends. And even with the age gap between them they never let that deteriorate their relationship. Plus it reminded me of a relationship I myself have with an old coworker that I’m still close to today and consider her my honorary adopted grandmother.
- Speaking of Marcia, she made this entire book for me. She was funny, caring and a joy to read about. Honestly I wish the whole book was about her and her dating journey cause I would follow that woman anywhere.
- Last pro has to be, the setting: the library! I have always been a huge advocate of the library and the Librarians that work there. I appreciated how “Roommating” felt like a giant love letter to that institution. Makes me wish I had gone that route with my career instead.

Now that we talked about the good, time to to talk about the Cons:
- Sabrina & Adam. As individuals they were just ok. But as a pair they honestly left me cringing a bit. Like have you ever read a book and after finishing went “yeah these characters will divorce in a few years” that’s the overall feelings I have towards them. They both felt too similar and neither really knew how to commit or adult. And I could just see the downfall in their relationship if this was indeed real people.
- The overall plot of the book was honestly kinda all over the place. Especially the competition aspect. I thought based on the summary that it was going to start from the get go. But no it starts months later and at almost 70% into the book. Just felt completely unnecessary, confusing and ultimately unbalanced the whole story.

Overall, this was a quick easy read that I think fans of Meredith will enjoy. Even though this wasn’t my favorite romcom I still enjoyed it enough to recommend it especially if you’re just starting out with the genre. Lastly big Thank you to NetGalley & Forever publishing for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest review.

Sabrina Finkelsteing is too busy with grad school and her job as a library page to think about dating. Until her elderly roommate Marcia's estranged grandson Adam Haber temporarily moves in with them while he "finds himself.” Sabrina doesn’t mind sharing the small space with Adam if it helps Marcia repair her relationship with her grandson. But she’s not expecting to fall for him herself. Adam is gorgeous, kind, funny, shares her love of reading, and clearly adores Marcia. But after one too many accidental midnight rendezvous in the bathroom (him shirtless), the tension between them is hotter than ever. But they’re not the only ones feeling the heat. When Marcia has a health scare, her doctors advise that one of her younger roommates must go.

Sabrina is a hard worker, balancing getting her grad degree and working as a library page. She's also very determined to be independent which is admirable, but she also needs to learn a thing or two about asking for help when necessary. Adam reminds her that there is nothing wrong about asking for help. Speaking of Adam, this man was raising all the green flags...until he wasn't. As much as I liked his chemistry with Sabrina and loved their bond over books, he lost some brownie points at the beginning, gained some back, then lost it again. Tsk, tsk, tsk. I liked how Sabrina and Adam's relationship was progressing; however, not too sure if I'm a fan of competing for Marcia's roommate storyline.

>>> Roommates to lovers
>>> Forced proximity
>>> Multi-generational friendship
>>> Jewish rep
>>> Book about books


Thank you to @readforever for the e-arc!

While this was a cute romance, it didn't have much that made it stand out or anything that felt super special about it. It was an easy read and it had a few funny parts. Overall just okay from me.

I really enjoyed seeing the characters progress in this story. The story was well paced and well written. I was hooked from the beginning and devoured it in just a few sittings.

Meredith Schorr can do no wrong in my book!
Sabrina, who is working and paying for grad school truly believes she's found the perfect arrangement. With her senior citizen roommate Marcia, Sabrina has found the perfect arrangement. A bit cheaper rent in exchange for a roommate who needs help every now and then. When their arrangement goes from 2 to 3 when Marcia's grandson moves in, Adam throws their whole world off balance and creates a new normal no one knows how to deal with. Hilarious yet serious, sweet, and sexy, Meredith Schorr does no wrong in my book!

I don't know if this idea of partnering young people with older people for a roommate situation is a real thing or not, but it should be! Three can be a crowd, and at times it is, but it can also be a lot of fun once everything shakes out and they find a groove. The forced proximity creates moments of tension and some funny situations, but it also forces them to get to know each other intimately and quickly. I love the multi-generational aspect, the focus on family, and how we have a demonstrated example of handling miscommunications. This was a sweet book that left me wondering what happens after...

This rom-com is a perfect mix of humor, slow-burn tension, and heartwarming moments, making it impossible to put down. The dynamic between Sabrina and Adam is filled with witty banter, undeniable chemistry, and just the right amount of will-they-won’t-they tension. Their forced proximity, combined with the added stakes of Marcia’s well-being and their battle for the apartment, keeps the story both entertaining and emotionally engaging.
Beyond the romance, the story shines with its themes of found family, self-discovery, and learning when to fight for what (and who) truly matters. The balance between laugh-out-loud moments and heartfelt depth makes for a well-rounded, feel-good read. With sizzling chemistry, lovable characters, and a fresh, fun premise, this is the perfect pick for anyone who loves a smart, engaging, and utterly charming rom-com.

I recently finished reading this book and I must say, it was a captivating and refreshing experience. From the moment I started the book, I was hooked by its grounded and relatable portrayal of romance.
The plot is incredibly realistic, which is something I truly appreciated. The love story unfolds at a pace that feels true to life—there are no unrealistic twists or melodramatic moments that often plague romantic novels. Instead, the characters face real-life challenges, personal growth, and emotional struggles that anyone can relate to. The story touches on themes of trust, vulnerability, and the importance of self-discovery before fully opening up to someone else.
What stood out most to me was the character development. The protagonist evolve throughout the book, and their emotional growth is depicted with such care. Their flaws, strengths, and vulnerabilities are portrayed in a way that makes them feel like real people, not just characters on a page. It’s rare to find a romance where the characters' emotional journeys are as important as their romantic connection, and [Book Title] does this beautifully. Their interactions felt authentic, and the relationship built naturally over time, making it all the more rewarding by the end.
This book made me reflect on my own experiences and left me with a sense of hope that love can grow in the most unexpected ways. It's a novel about finding love not just with someone else, but also with yourself. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a romance that feels real, with characters that are fully realized and a plot that keeps you invested from start to finish.

This was such a fun, flirty, cozy, quick read. The premise was great. The friendship between the FMC and her surrogate grandma roommate was so sweet and so genuine. I loved the way they were so accepting of one another. The tension between the FMC and MMC was high and very evident. I enjoyed the slow burn of it; the will they won't they. Their banter done well.
I appreciated the author showing some family resolution and some unresolved family dynamics. That felt very realistic.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Thank you Forever and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this e-ARC.