A review by jen1804
The Intimacy Experiment by Rosie Danan

funny informative inspiring lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

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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