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amanda_reads13's review against another edition
lighthearted
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
3.0
Clara is an upright socialite who throws away her life to follow her childhood best friend and the "man of her dreams", Everett, across the country. When she arrives, she is shocked to find out that Everett is leaving for 3 months with his band and he rented out his room to some random from Craigslist. So now she is in LA with no job, no car, abandoned by Everett, and living with a stranger. Josh ends up being her new roommate. Clara is shocked to find out that her handsome new roommate is actually a very famous porn star.
I love how sex/body positive this book is and how it brings to light many of the issues facing those in the sex industry. I love the idea behind Shameless and how it focuses on turning an industry that panders to the male gaze on its head. Shameless focuses on women's pleasure and gives space to women in an industry where their needs are generally cast aside.
Clara is prim and proper and values order and organization. Think stereotypically uptight woman. She has a plan for her life, but things don't always go as planned. She pictures of future where she is married to Everett. But Everett is a selfish asshole who strings her along. He never had the same feelings for her. Then her life is thrown into a loop when she moves in with Josh and he opens her eyes to things in her life that are missing. She is able to be herswlf around Josh and doesn't feel like she has to be perfect around him. It takes her a while, but she is able to allow herself to step outside her family's expectations and go for what she truly wants.
Josh is goofy, funny, and incredibly sexy. He is instantly attracted to Clara, but hides his feelings from her. He has a history of being looked down upon because of his job. Though he is not embarrassed by his job, he feels that people around him are. This is one of the reasons why he's completely cut off connection with his parents. He doesn't believe that he will ever be able to find a meaningful relationship built on love because of his job, especially not with Clara. He thinks he isn't good enough for her.
What Clara and Josh have is written as an instalove situation, but really plays out more as lust. Yes, they've gotten to know each other well over the months that they are living together, but it doesn't come across as love. It comes across more as a relationship in the process of being built. Plus the amount of miscommunication in this book drive me bonkers.
I think Naomi and Jill are the most interesting characters in this book. Naomi is a badass woman working in an industry structured to take advantage of her, but she is fighting back and working to take what she deserves. Jill has brought "shame" upon her family and has been banished. She moves to LA and creates an incredible life for herself. She is strong and supportive of her niece.
Tropes: instalove, unrequited love
I love how sex/body positive this book is and how it brings to light many of the issues facing those in the sex industry. I love the idea behind Shameless and how it focuses on turning an industry that panders to the male gaze on its head. Shameless focuses on women's pleasure and gives space to women in an industry where their needs are generally cast aside.
Clara is prim and proper and values order and organization. Think stereotypically uptight woman. She has a plan for her life, but things don't always go as planned. She pictures of future where she is married to Everett. But Everett is a selfish asshole who strings her along. He never had the same feelings for her. Then her life is thrown into a loop when she moves in with Josh and he opens her eyes to things in her life that are missing. She is able to be herswlf around Josh and doesn't feel like she has to be perfect around him. It takes her a while, but she is able to allow herself to step outside her family's expectations and go for what she truly wants.
Josh is goofy, funny, and incredibly sexy. He is instantly attracted to Clara, but hides his feelings from her. He has a history of being looked down upon because of his job. Though he is not embarrassed by his job, he feels that people around him are. This is one of the reasons why he's completely cut off connection with his parents. He doesn't believe that he will ever be able to find a meaningful relationship built on love because of his job, especially not with Clara. He thinks he isn't good enough for her.
What Clara and Josh have is written as an instalove situation, but really plays out more as lust. Yes, they've gotten to know each other well over the months that they are living together, but it doesn't come across as love. It comes across more as a relationship in the process of being built. Plus the amount of miscommunication in this book drive me bonkers.
I think Naomi and Jill are the most interesting characters in this book. Naomi is a badass woman working in an industry structured to take advantage of her, but she is fighting back and working to take what she deserves. Jill has brought "shame" upon her family and has been banished. She moves to LA and creates an incredible life for herself. She is strong and supportive of her niece.
Tropes: instalove, unrequited love
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual content, and Car accident
cdt96's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Misogyny and Sexism
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual harassment, Sexism, Sexual content, Alcohol, Car accident, Cursing, and Medical content
thebookpaiges's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Cursing, Sexism, and Misogyny
hannibanani29's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Medical content, Cursing, Misogyny, and Car accident
Minor: Sexual harassment and Body shaming
lujisa's review
lighthearted
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexual content
things100's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Ok so this was my second time reading the roommate and somehow it was even better then I remember it being. The book was amazing, Clara our little good girl socialite who’s never done anything wrong decides to move across the country for her long time crush only from him to ditch her I am not a fan of Everrett one bite Clara was wayyyy to good for him with the new roommate he just rented his room of their house out to. Then enters Josh said new roommate, josh gives me golden retriever energy and I loved it but josh also happens to be a semi famous porn star known for prioritizing female pleasure. So not only is he a super sweet guy but this man knows what he is doing 🥵. I loved how the book wasn’t your typical romance starting with the fact that one of our leads is a porn star but also how it broke down some of the misconceptions and stereotypes about porn stars as well as addressing the issues that are in the porn industry from unfair and unsafe working conditions to catering to a very specific audience while simultaneously making content that doesn’t appel to half the worlds population. Anyway great and cute but also spicy romance that made me ask myself some really important questions. Definitely recommend. Josh may be my favorite book boyfriend ever. Also to quote Josh Darling “everybody is different but none of them are wrong” honestly this man is perfection I don’t know how else to describe him (chef’s kisses 😘). Have fun reading cuties
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Car accident
Minor: Misogyny, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Sexual harassment
elspethmigliore's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I really, really enjoyed this book. I feel like it could have had a deeper storyline (or maybe more in depth 🌶️ because it's kind of one or the other), but overall, it was a great book. The main characters are so cute, I really love how their relationship developed.
definitely reread material ✅
definitely reread material ✅
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Body shaming
magpie7's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual content, Misogyny, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Car accident
leahlovesloslibros's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
The romance portion of this book was OK; it was painfully obvious what was going to happen, which isn't my favorite thing when reading romance books, but I kind of expected it would be that way so it's not a big deal. The sex scenes were steamy and enjoyable to read.
What I really appreciated in this book was actually the slight feminist vibe and the business part of the story. I really enjoyed Clara coming into her own and developing personal growth as she spent more time in LA; while she definitely had a lot of "privilege issues," she also had to deal with the discomfort of living with someone who definitely did not fit into her meticulously well-planned life. Josh, a famous porn star, turns her world upside down, and when contract negotiations end up going south for him, he finds himself looking to make some changes is his career.
Clara and Josh come together to take down a giant, corrupt porn corporation; for me, that was the most interesting part of the story. I really appreciated that they were advocating for workers' rights. Of course when you have roommates who also work together and have sexual tension, there are going to be complications, especially when working in adult entertainment. Clara's character development fell short, in my opinion; she always kind of seemed to have a "privileged white girl" mentality and although she said she wanted to put something out for women, her actions did not match her words. She was constantly more concerned with her image than with the business itself. Josh seemed to really come into his own, working on a project he was actually interested in and not having to succumb to the pressures of big business in adult entertainment.
Overall, I think Clara's character development could have been stronger, and I didn't love the relationship between her and Josh. If you're looking for a light, easy read, this is a suitable choice for you.
What I really appreciated in this book was actually the slight feminist vibe and the business part of the story. I really enjoyed Clara coming into her own and developing personal growth as she spent more time in LA; while she definitely had a lot of "privilege issues," she also had to deal with the discomfort of living with someone who definitely did not fit into her meticulously well-planned life. Josh, a famous porn star, turns her world upside down, and when contract negotiations end up going south for him, he finds himself looking to make some changes is his career.
Clara and Josh come together to take down a giant, corrupt porn corporation; for me, that was the most interesting part of the story. I really appreciated that they were advocating for workers' rights. Of course when you have roommates who also work together and have sexual tension, there are going to be complications, especially when working in adult entertainment. Clara's character development fell short, in my opinion; she always kind of seemed to have a "privileged white girl" mentality and although she said she wanted to put something out for women, her actions did not match her words. She was constantly more concerned with her image than with the business itself. Josh seemed to really come into his own, working on a project he was actually interested in and not having to succumb to the pressures of big business in adult entertainment.
Overall, I think Clara's character development could have been stronger, and I didn't love the relationship between her and Josh. If you're looking for a light, easy read, this is a suitable choice for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing and Misogyny
Minor: Car accident
Additional TW/CW: frequent discussions of porn/porn industry, privilege/classismgirlonbooks's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
💼💼💼 (3 stars as rated in briefcases because it is a business doing pleasure with you)
Clara Wheaton has never made an impulsive decision in her life. That is, before she moved to Los Angeles to pursue a guy she'd been in love with for 14 years. When he suddenly bails to pursue a burgeoning music career, Clara is left to navigate her new life in an unfamiliar city completely alone. Well, almost completely alone. There is also that very charming and super attractive new roommate of hers named Josh who has sex for a living. On camera. With one of the biggest pornography studios in town. Clara isn't sure what to make of all these new developments in her once meticulously curated life. And when a business opportunity presents itself to her and Josh - one that would mutually benefit them both - Clara starts to wonder if that former life of hers was ever really what she wanted. Especially when this new life offers so much more...
“Every body is different, but none of them are wrong.”
What a steamy little experience this story was! I genuinely liked all the characters and found their respective arcs to be intriguing and believable. I'm looking forward to getting to know a few of them better in The Intimacy Experiment which comes out on April 6, 2021. This book reaches into a lot of topics that I really enjoyed. It is sex work positive (thumbs up for days) and also emphasizes consent, female safety, and the existence of aromantic sex. I enjoyed Josh and Clara's relationship and the ways that they navigate their living situation. Also, the apology pastries had me swooning a little bit. I read the whole thing in an evening and it was everything I look for in a cozy little rom-com.
✨ Rep in this book: sex work
✨ Content warnings for this book: sexual content, mentions of sexism and misogyny, car accident, estrangement from a family member
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Car accident and Misogyny