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rebakesl's review
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I liked this book, but I just didn’t have that “I’m addicted to this book” feeling.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Antisemitism
Minor: Cursing, Alcohol, Grief, and Bullying
aseel_reads's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I liked that the main characters came from opposing worlds, very wholesome. I really relate to Naomi's attitude to intimacy, felt very seen. Otherwise, the pacing was a bit off and just read a little odd
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Sexual harassment, Alcohol, Body shaming, Death of parent, Sexism, Bullying, Grief, Hate crime, Misogyny, and Religious bigotry
jennabenna's review
5.0
I loved this book even more than The Roommate! I deeply related to both characters: Naomi's hardness and fear of vulnerability, and Ethan's gentle nerdiness and passion for community service. Their love was so sweet to watch develop. I laughed, I screamed, I cried. These two have my whole heart!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Grief
psydneigh's review
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Loved this book more than the first one. This book has a lot of heart. A bit slow at the beginning though.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Antisemitism, Body shaming, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and Grief
thefatpaperback's review
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Bullying, Death of parent, Grief, and Misogyny
Minor: Antisemitism
allingoodtime's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I love that this story is about a former porn star who now runs an explicit intimacy company and a rabbi. First, we do not get enough Jewish representation in Romance. Second, we do not get enough positive representation of sex workers in Romance (although this genre is MUCH more accepting than others). Pairing these two under-represented groups had me intrigued.
I absolutely loved this author’s debut, The Roommate. In fact, that is why it took me so long to get around to reading this book. I just didn’t know if it could live up to my expectations. In some ways it did, and in others, it didn’t.
Naomi came on the scene in that previous book. She was the ex-girlfriend, co-worker, and friend that I loved to hate, and eventually came to love. I was rooting for her to get her own story and a HEA herself. She’s just as tough and proud in this story, but that marshmallow inside is shown much more. Naomi might be tough, but once you’re let into her circle she loves hard and protects even harder. We should all try to be more like Naomi, without the chip on the shoulder part.
Sparks fly between Naomi and Ethan, the rabbi who asks her to do a lecture series at his synagogue to help his membership. I enjoyed their chemistry, but wish it wouldn’t have taken so long for them to give in to that pull. Part of me understands, but the romance reader in me wanted a little more giving into those desires earlier in the book than it happened.
As much as it’s obvious what will tear these two apart, it was beautiful to read it play out. Both the rending and the sewing back up. Naomi broke my heart with her stoicism. No, she doesn’t need another person to make her whole. But it was sure nice to have someone else to lean on for a while. The same can be said for Ethan, who plays the martyr a bit here. He has good intentions for his synagogue members and is just trying to do what he thinks others think is right.
Although this story didn’t quite live up to what I wanted, it was still immensely enjoyable and I would still recommend it to any romance reader.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Sexual harassment, and Death of parent
jdf1027's review
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, Antisemitism, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Sexism, and Sexual harassment
triple_m's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Pretty good, but not a knockout. As to be expected with Rosie Danan, the book was very sex positive and I also think Naomi’s relationship with Judaism was done with sensitivity and respect (though, I’m not Jewish so my perspective doesn’t matter much). I also just love Rosie’s writing.
Ethan and Naomi were both wonderful characters and I like that even though their mutual attraction was instant they took their time getting to know each other before things became romantic. No insta-love! That being said, also much less spice compared to The Roommate.
I found Naomi’s big speech at her high school to be awkward and out of place. I never really felt a big cathartic moment when the conflict was resolved. I’m also disappointed she didn’t start going by Hannah again, at least with Ethan. I just don’t think the book stuck the landing.
I kind of hate religion so I didn’t personally love the focus on it in the novel. In my jaded opinion, people should be leaving religion not rediscovering it lol.
Ethan and Naomi were both wonderful characters and I like that even though their mutual attraction was instant they took their time getting to know each other before things became romantic. No insta-love! That being said, also much less spice compared to The Roommate.
I found Naomi’s big speech at her high school to be awkward and out of place. I never really felt a big cathartic moment when the conflict was resolved. I’m also disappointed she didn’t start going by Hannah again, at least with Ethan. I just don’t think the book stuck the landing.
I kind of hate religion so I didn’t personally love the focus on it in the novel. In my jaded opinion, people should be leaving religion not rediscovering it lol.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Sexual harassment, and Death of parent
soniajoy98's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Bullying, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, Cursing, Grief, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Antisemitism
emilykthelin's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Sexism
Minor: Antisemitism, Biphobia, Death of parent, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail