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A review by amanda_reads13
The Roommate by Rosie Danan
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