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literallysam's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Body shaming, Car accident, and Sexism
kaitrates's review against another edition
I loved the premise of this book and it seemed right up my alley. Plus, after a series of less spicy reads I knew this would bring the heat.
And it did. I especially enjoyed and appreciated the mutual masturbation scene as those aren't too common.
However, despite being most of the way through it, I find myself not caring enough about these characters or the plot to finish. Maybe its because I've already read book 2 (side note: I am VERY glad I read that one first as I don't think I'd continue reading this author if I started with this one AND, frustratingly, Naomi annoys me in this book).
It took me this long—and the first PIV scene—to really put my finger on WHY I don't enjoy this book. In short: it reads to me as so painfully straight. There's many examples of this but it comes together in teh first PIV scene where we get, among other things:
And it did. I especially enjoyed and appreciated the mutual masturbation scene as those aren't too common.
However, despite being most of the way through it, I find myself not caring enough about these characters or the plot to finish. Maybe its because I've already read book 2 (side note: I am VERY glad I read that one first as I don't think I'd continue reading this author if I started with this one AND, frustratingly, Naomi annoys me in this book).
It took me this long—and the first PIV scene—to really put my finger on WHY I don't enjoy this book. In short: it reads to me as so painfully straight. There's many examples of this but it comes together in teh first PIV scene
- a detailed account of the BJ she gives him and absolutely no details of him going down on her (after building up his skills the entire book)
- minimal prep for her when we've been told time and again how big he is and how nervous she is in the moment
- reliance on so hard/so wet narrative when these are indicators of arousal, not desire
.
Also because so so much of it is based on miscommunication and them just not talking it out. UGH
It also deeply bothered me how much he couldn't control himself around her, something that was repeated often. I hate this device in no small part because of how it plays into a culture that positions male sexuality as a need (and all the violent repercussions of that). I understand narratively why this choice was made—to highlight how she impacted him vs his work—but even that setup felt off to me. It was one of many moments where it felt like Josh's sexual knowledge only extended to the physical, and not the intimate. Which, in turn, felt weirdly objectifying to me.
As for Clara, well this isn't the first time I've written about my dislike of "poor little rich" characters. I just don't care about the problems of people whom society supports. And yes, rich, thin, able-bodied WW are included in that. There've been a few exceptions to this (Just Like Magic for its pure audacity and bonkers-ness) but The Roommate wasn't it. Also, while I understood her fraught relationship with her body, I wish I had known about those aspects of the book ahead of time.
Even though this wasn't for me, I'm super grateful for the (mostly) positive sex worker rep. I want more of that in romance! And I'll give Danan another shot as I did enjoy The Intimacy Experiment.
Also because so so much of it is based on miscommunication and them just not talking it out. UGH
It also deeply bothered me how much he couldn't control himself around her, something that was repeated often. I hate this device in no small part because of how it plays into a culture that positions male sexuality as a need (and all the violent repercussions of that). I understand narratively why this choice was made—to highlight how she impacted him vs his work—but even that setup felt off to me. It was one of many moments where it felt like Josh's sexual knowledge only extended to the physical, and not the intimate. Which, in turn, felt weirdly objectifying to me.
As for Clara, well this isn't the first time I've written about my dislike of "poor little rich" characters. I just don't care about the problems of people whom society supports. And yes, rich, thin, able-bodied WW are included in that. There've been a few exceptions to this (Just Like Magic for its pure audacity and bonkers-ness) but The Roommate wasn't it. Also, while I understood her fraught relationship with her body, I wish I had known about those aspects of the book ahead of time.
Even though this wasn't for me, I'm super grateful for the (mostly) positive sex worker rep. I want more of that in romance! And I'll give Danan another shot as I did enjoy The Intimacy Experiment.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Body shaming and Eating disorder
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
tea_rea's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Classism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Car accident, Emotional abuse, and Body shaming
Minor: Sexual harassment
Porn, sexual education, feminism, disfunctional family.lea_talisa's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I enjoyed The Roommate way more than I thought. After reading some reviews I was concerned that it would be boring and I wouldn’t like it but that wasn’t the case for even one second.
I liked the sex positivity and how they dealt with sex in general in this book. The typical cliches were featured but they also went deeper with the prejudices with working in the porn industry.
-> “Everyone thought it was the jealousy thing you had to worry about when trying to date in his line of work, but that was only the tip of the iceberg. Jealousy assumed that nonindustry people accepted the moral and social implications of his profession. That they wouldn’t mind introducing someone who made porn to friends and parents.”
-> “How many times had people laughed when they heard his profession? Or stammered and refused to meet his eyes? How many people had called him disgusting?“
After their first time I was hoping for a bit more aftercare seeing them cuddle and reassuring each other. Especially with all the talk about sex and the profession of Josh I just expected not only great sex but also great aftercare.
Also the ending was pretty rushed and I would’ve liked to see more about the process of Shameless, Josh and Clara’s relationship and their respective relationships with their parents.
Apart from that I can’t think of any other flaws in this book.
Apart from that I can’t think of any other flaws in this book.
All in all I was surprised by how much I liked it and would definitely recommend it!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, Body shaming, and Sexual assault
fellbyrd34's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
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
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual content and Car accident
Minor: Body shaming and Panic attacks/disorders
unwise_samwise's review
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Sexual content
Moderate: Car accident
Minor: Classism, Body shaming, and Biphobia
lh_reads's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident and Sexual content
Moderate: Body shaming and Toxic friendship
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
emilykthelin's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Body shaming