A review by bladebailey
The Roommate Risk by Talia Hibbert

emotional funny reflective relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Talia Hibbert writes mature, messy romances with beautifully flawed and well rounded characters. Rahul, a strict health nut who doesn't drink alcohol for religious reasons and works with numbers for a living, contrasts perfectly with the wild and free Jasmine, who exhibits borderline alcoholism and loves to eat whatever she wants. They share their traumas often, Rahul grieving the recent sudden loss of his beloved father and Jasmine struggling with long term abandonment issues prompted by her mother's apathetic disconnect. The Roommate Risk rectifies a major problem I tend to have with friends to lovers romances, because I see it happen way too often that the one who's been pining longer (often the man) feels entitled to a sexual and romantic relationship regardless of the other's resistance, whether it's from lack of interest or emotional baggage like Jasmine. Rahul absolutely doesn't do that, and in fact bluntly states that he knows he's not entitled to Jasmine's time, body, or affection just because they've been friends so long and he suspects she might want him. He knows it's his problem, not hers, and he lets her come to her own conclusions on her own time. I definitely recommend Hibbert as a whole, but this may be among my favorites of her catalog.
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