Reviews with content warning for Sexual harassment - The Intimacy Experiment

I didn’t enjoy this one as much as the Roommate (which I rated really high at 4.5⭐️). It wasn’t that this was a bad book, I just simply didn’t vibe with it as much.
This book had an interesting plot with a romantic thread woven through a story which is centred around a synagogue and Judaism, together with seminars on modern intimacy. This was fresh and insightful because I’ve never read anything like that before. There were also some really beautiful quotes throughout this book which I loved and will write below. But at the same time I guess the plot was just not really my scene and I found it difficult to connect with the story.
Whilst I did like the characters in this book, I didn’t LOVE them, I didn’t find them, or the plot, as fun as the first. I think that’s because there’s less romance and less spice in this one, which in some aspects is cool because it gives the plot more depth and this book is way more profound. However I went into it expecting way more romance than I got I guess.
Satisfactory ending? Yes and no.

“All those lights” - he pointed unnecessarily - “coming and going, each one a person with a whole world inside their head. People don’t think about that enough. How everyone we pass on the street has just as much complexity, just as many aspirations and fear and failures, as we do.”

“I forgot that love is essential. That even in its absence, you occupy yourself with the lack of it.”

“…We get all these different perspectives in one room, and suddenly you realise that people are going through the same stuff you are, even though we’ve all got our own stories. I like being connected, and I thought I’d find more of that here.”

Tender like a promise. Tender like a sunrise. Tender like your key in the front door at midnight, letting you in, welcoming you home.

“I’ve been a social pariah for many years now, and I can tell you that it’s worth it to not spend a second of your precious time on earth worrying about what other people believe you should do, believe you should be. Your body is a gift. Your life is yours alone.”

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kristinamd's review

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funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

I enjoyed this novel MUCH less than its predecessor. There was no chemistry between the MCs (despite the FMC reminding us every chapter how hot she thinks the MMC is in an effort to convince you there is chemistry) and I found their banter unrealistic with humor that just didn’t land for me.

The MCs each have so many of their own flaws/old trauma that the book sets them up to overcome, but they end up half-baked at the end of the novel with the only thoroughly written out (and even dragging) resolution being them getting back together post act 3 breakup.

A quick, fun enough read that I will surely forget every detail of in a few days.

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allingoodtime's review against another edition

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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.

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naturally's review against another edition

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emotional funny informative fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

adore the premise of this book, and the execution was strong! themes like sex, religion & science were explored in an insightful way without making the reader feel like they're being bashed over the head with a textbook, and naomi's seminars on intimacy were so thought-provoking. there's so much to enjoy about the intimacy experiment, and there's loads to learn as well!

naomi and ethan were a great couple - like, i was ALMOST sobbing over them. and it was nice to read a sex scene that integrates clitoral stimulation.

i felt that the reason for the 3rd act break up was valid and a refreshing change from The Evil Ex(tm) trope. however, the resolution was super quick, which threw off the pacing for me.

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taliabasma's review against another edition

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hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

It was a little slow in the beginning but 30% in the pace picked up and I finished it in a few days. That being said the reason it’s not 5 stars like it’s predecessor is parts of the story fell flat. The characters and their pairing was definitely creative and different but I think it also caused maybe a conflict in creating a smooth plot. Also the ending with where and how Naomi did the last lecture just didn’t fully feel right to me. I feel like that last lecture should have been where Ethan did his final speech. I’m trying not to spoil it in this review but when you read it maybe you’ll understand what I mean.

To be more explicit here I just feel like at the hs Naomi should have legitimately addressed what happened to her not just to the clerk but to the students, that’s what I excepted her to do. It felt dumb having her talk about breaking up because after alll that motivation about how you’ll move on she ends it with “it might not be the end” or something to that vein and it felt like it undoes the speech and doesn’t really “teach” anyone anything. I was expecting more like “I was a naive teen in love and taken advantage of and I want to stand here to tell you that you should never let the cruelty of others allow you to loose yourself, forgive yourself for seeing the good in others that don’t deserve it and open yourself to opportunities, experiences, and people, but always know that you can walk away, you can set a boundary…etc” like that’s what I expected for the hs scene and at the bar it’d have made scene if she did the lesson not Ethan so that the board shows that they see her value as a teacher

Another thing to note, not a positive or a con, while I’m not Jewish and can’t speak for the religious set up it was great to see but also felt like I was missing something. That being said when I read Muslim romances similar to this I get excited and maybe personal experiences help fill in the blanks so I imagine a Jew reading this may feel the way I do reading a Muslim romance, and not as exciting as the first book, but they were still kinda cute

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jdf1027's review

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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

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