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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved Ethan, he’s an absolute cinnamon roll with a backbone. Thoughtful, grounded, and the kind of book boyfriend you want to marry and debate philosophy with.
Naomi surprised me. I wasn’t sure about her in The Roommate, but she really grew on me in this one. It was refreshing to get inside her head and see her vulnerability beneath the confident exterior.
That said, I did wish there was a little more drama and spice to keep things buzzing. The emotional arc was strong, but the tension could’ve been dialed up a notch.
Overall, a decent read with great character growth, strong messaging, and just enough romance to keep you hooked. A solid follow-up that makes me appreciate the duo even more.
I was smiling the entire time I read this book. Rosie Danan is a sex-positive feminist’s dream romance writer!
Just like the first line would suggest, Naomi was indeeed a fully armored super woman. But Danan takes us on a journey to not only learn why and how it makes her Shameless, but also to see the strength that comes with bringing your armor down and how scary it can be when your familiar fall back mechanisms fail.
“She hardly ever let herself be still with anyone, too afraid that if she did, they might see the hungry gaping wound of her heart. How it wanted and wanted so much that she never fed it anymore for fear of it growing too powerful and consuming her”
Ethan was so sweetly fumbling (covered in ink, nervous, can’t hold his liquor) and a “mess” - more the typical role for the female MC in the contemporary romance while Naomi had the typical male role (rich, famous, stunning, unflappable, confident). Yes, feminist. It was Refreshing to see people in a real intentional relationship discussing different values around sex. I love the inclusivity of this book and can’t wait to read every book RD writes.
“Maybe that’s why intimacy pairs so well with religion. The best we can do is show up and try to be worthy”
Ethan:
“I guess I get out of bed because I think about the connection that we all have, this fragile humanity, each of us insignificant and at the same time precious. A continuation of a species that is recklessly unique. I remember that life is a finite gift...”
Naomi:
“The world is cruel and unrelenting, full of pain and injustice and I am a stick of dynamite. Sometimes ineffectual, other times unnecessarily destructive, but, on occasion, enough to at least temporarily disrupt the rhythm of the patriarchal abyss threatening to suck down everything I care about and hold it hostage.”
Just like the first line would suggest, Naomi was indeeed a fully armored super woman. But Danan takes us on a journey to not only learn why and how it makes her Shameless, but also to see the strength that comes with bringing your armor down and how scary it can be when your familiar fall back mechanisms fail.
“She hardly ever let herself be still with anyone, too afraid that if she did, they might see the hungry gaping wound of her heart. How it wanted and wanted so much that she never fed it anymore for fear of it growing too powerful and consuming her”
Ethan was so sweetly fumbling (covered in ink, nervous, can’t hold his liquor) and a “mess” - more the typical role for the female MC in the contemporary romance while Naomi had the typical male role (rich, famous, stunning, unflappable, confident). Yes, feminist. It was Refreshing to see people in a real intentional relationship discussing different values around sex. I love the inclusivity of this book and can’t wait to read every book RD writes.
“Maybe that’s why intimacy pairs so well with religion. The best we can do is show up and try to be worthy”
Ethan:
“I guess I get out of bed because I think about the connection that we all have, this fragile humanity, each of us insignificant and at the same time precious. A continuation of a species that is recklessly unique. I remember that life is a finite gift...”
Naomi:
“The world is cruel and unrelenting, full of pain and injustice and I am a stick of dynamite. Sometimes ineffectual, other times unnecessarily destructive, but, on occasion, enough to at least temporarily disrupt the rhythm of the patriarchal abyss threatening to suck down everything I care about and hold it hostage.”
Wait... did Nobody Wants This lowkey rip off this book? Hot sex-work adjacent FMC falls for hot rabbi MC? And people are mostly cool with it, other than (of course) the Bubbes who are trying to set him up with some other Nice Jewish Girls.
We have the funny and supportive sibling and best friends, the "will one of us give something up for the other one", a (SPOILER)third act breakup , addressing trauma together while navigating dating in a modern world etc etc...
Whatever, it was cute. One part did actually make me cry, which I was totally, completely unprepared for in a book like this.
We have the funny and supportive sibling and best friends, the "will one of us give something up for the other one", a (SPOILER)
Whatever, it was cute. One part did actually make me cry, which I was totally, completely unprepared for in a book like this.
An ex-porn star and a rabbi walk into a bar.....
Not really sure how to finish that. But that's basically the premise of this book! The Intimacy Experiment is a really interesting, feminist take on modern intimacy in Judaism.
I just though this was better in premise than in execution. My interest waned at parts and the ending was way too quick.
But if you're looking for a unique, fresh take on contemporary romance, I recommend giving this a try.
Not really sure how to finish that. But that's basically the premise of this book! The Intimacy Experiment is a really interesting, feminist take on modern intimacy in Judaism.
I just though this was better in premise than in execution. My interest waned at parts and the ending was way too quick.
But if you're looking for a unique, fresh take on contemporary romance, I recommend giving this a try.
hopeful
lighthearted
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
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
good god the amount of tears i shed because of this book (specifically the third act breakup part—it was written so well i physically hurt but also it was so beautiful i couldn’t be mad about it)
emotional
funny
inspiring
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
adventurous
challenging
funny
informative
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:
Complicated
I wasn’t obsessed with Naomi when I read the first book in the series so it’s not surprising that I didn’t LOOOVVVVVEEEE this book. I did also just finish another religion romance not too long ago so also not great timing on my part. Anyways, I mean it wasn’t bad by any means but it was great. I’d say it was entertaining, had me giddy in a few parts, and left me entertained for the most part. So do with that information what you will. But in my opinion, the first book was sooooooo much better.