Since this is the author's first book, I give it a solid 3 out of 5. The plot was okay. Life is messy, so the characters act that way. Since I had no connection with any of these characters, I had a hard time getting into the story. I found Ariella to be naive, perfectionist, standoffish, and struggling with anxiety/panic attacks. I thought Caleb was a stereotypical playboy who was aloof.

Tropes in this book....
Forced Proximity
enemies to lovers
grumpy sunshine
slow burn romance

I will say that the last chapters could have tied up this book and given it a HEA. When a sequel seems forced it's hard to keep wanting to read.

Also check trigger warnings for this book.

The synopsis drew me in, my kind of read, yes I think the outcome sounded like it may be predictable but felt like it had a different kind of 'meet cute'

It all starts with Ariella who moves out of her house from long term partner/fiancé Jasper and rents a room from Caleb and together they learn about each others way and adjust to living with each other!

I did enjoy reading this, I liked how Ariella and Caleb's relationship moved from roommates to friends. There was moments when it was a bit repetitive with the on off disagreements but found the little cute moments with Ariella and Caleb really sweet too.
I was gutted towards the end as it felt a little rushed and yes the annoying cliffhanger and tease to a possible 2nd book.

I would have preferred a nice end to the story rather a second book but will keep my eyes out for the next one as I'm intrigued to whats next for the two of them.

Thanks for NetGalley for the download.

This was a tough one for me. I kept waiting for a hidden past or trauma to surface to help me understand Ariella and her heartlessness a little bit more, but it never came. Caleb’s character weaknesses were stereotypical, and it was hard to see how his group of friends treated him. I think I’m skipping any next books about these characters.

<b> Thank you to Ola Tundun, Storm Publishing, and Netgalley for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review. </b>

Perfectionist Ariella has a perfect life. Everything has its designated place and time. Every person and thing in her life is integrated with every other part of it. Except she isn't exactly happy. Caleb also has the perfect life. There are participants and rules, and things only become messy when different aspects of his life start to overlap. Their story is a down-to-earth, forced proximity, slow-burn romance that features a naive Ariana and playboy Caleb as their lives irrevocably intermingle when she rents his spare room.

In this book, Ola Tundun tackles many variations of what nurturing and stifling (some even downright toxic) relationships and specifically romantic entanglements between people can look like. Showing how things like societal and familial expectations, greed, coercion, and complacency play just as strong of a role in forming our identities and lives as do friendship, love, and connection. All the characters but especially the main characters in this book are flawed and struggle to figure out what the best way forward in life is.

Overall I really enjoyed reading this book and found that the complexities of the story were interesting and well done. However, the reason why this book gets 2.75/5 (rounded to 3) steam 2/5 from me is because so much of the story is still missing. (This is likely because a sequel is planned and Ariella and Caleb's romance has not found its HEA - something I wish I had known before starting the book). Other things that influenced my rating were <spoiler> 1) We never find out what Caleb's big plans are for which he needs Ariella's rent as extra income. 2) Jack and Lou's relationship status is still so up in the air and precarious. I really would have liked to have seen him leave and hope he does in the next book. 3) Mel is clearly the next hurdle in their relationship - and they break up before Ariella fully rationalizes that he was drugged and coerced seems inevitable and will likely be cliche and the idea that she'll go running back to Jasper. Please don't let her go back to Jasper again. Give the man the chance to move on. </spoiler>

TW/CW's:
- Both MCs have their drinks spiked by people they know at different points in the book
- Discussion of domestic abuse of a child
- domestic abuse of a partner (male being abused by female)
- FMC has panic/anxiety attacks

NOTE: Goodreads Review posted and Instagram Review will be posted today as well.

Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Spicy Level: 🌶️

Roommates by Ola Tundan follows Ariella Mason and Caleb Black who go from being coworkers at their company, Ivory Bow to being roommates after Ariella leaves her seemingly perfect life. Ariella has followed the model minority’s life checklist: perfect job, house and soon to be spouse, Jasper. Until one day, she decides to leave it all behind. She turns up at Caleb’s apartment desperate for a place to crash and hide out from the aftermath. Caleb, an arrogant and notorious player has to make a choice of giving up his bachelor pad in exchange for an offer he can’t quite refuse from Ariella.

I’ll be honest, I tried really hard to like this book because I was so excited to support a writer of colour writing a Black lead and who I thought would be an Indian hero. A note to the publisher and cover artist: The man on the cover is tan enough and has the signature 'Indian fuckboy' beard to be mistaken as a South Asian man.

I did also push myself to finish this book out of respect for the author and to give a thorough review. I will get to what could have been improved on and what didn’t quite connect with me later on. However, I want to focus on the positives first.

I would like to commend Ola on writing her first full length novel! Not everyone can do that so that itself is a great feat. I think the writing was easy to read so readers can breeze through this book especially if they enjoy the themes, characters and tropes. I will always appreciate a writer of colour writing diverse characters and providing much needed representation in the modern romance genre. I also loved how she flipped the stereotypes of Black and white families! Ola showcased a loving, close knit and healthy Black family with Ariella’s while Caleb grew up in poverty and a broken home. It was a clever move that was also grounded in reality.

As for why this book just did not hit for me: I had just finished rereading my favourite books with the roommate trope with a Black women as the lead and Indian hero (it took me nearly half the book to realise Caleb was not in fact an Indian man). I wanted to read something similar and thought this would be a comfort like the other two. However, I was faced with my two personal book icks: slow burns and love triangles. So unfortunately, this book had the odds stacked against it for me liking it. I will fully admit that my expectations for the book and the personal preferences of faster-paced books with the sole focus on the main romance tainted my reading experience.

As for what could be improved upon: While I understand that Aari and Caleb are meant to be flawed characters, I didn’t find them likeable at all and couldn’t find it in myself to root for them. There seemed to be a disconnect between how they were described in the summary compared to their character introductions. Aari was far from perfect and Caleb felt like a teenage boy cosplaying as a womaniser. I think Ola could have spent time building up their positive traits and connect them to their ‘character templates’ before revealing them to be messy, real people. At times they also came across as whitewashed. [Though now I do know Caleb was always meant to be a white man] Ariella was very explicitly written to be a Black woman but her narrative voice came across as odd. As did her dialogue with her mother. Sometimes I had to reread their scenes together because it seemed like she was talking to a friend or sister.

Plot wise even though it was a slow burn, the writing could have been tighter. Virtually nothing of consequence happens in the first half of the book and everything seemed to happen in the second half. The cliffhanger at the end didn’t quite feel like a cliffhanger to me. I think the structure of the novel could have been reworked to add another chapter or two to wrap up the book instead of a second full novel. It felt like a typical Act 3 climax that needed a longer ending.

Lastly, I understand the statement Ola was trying to make with subverting the trope and giving us a few female perpetrators. That being said, it wasn’t executed well and fell flat for me. While women like them exist, it just felt like women were being unnecessarily villianised - especially since Ariella did not come across as likeable to me.

All that said and done, I do think Ola has a lot of potential and can only go but up from here. I am really rooting for her and hope these comments aren’t taken too much to heart but help to build a better novel in the future. Despite my own hang ups on this book, I would still recommend this to those who enjoy a slow burn roommates book with deeply flawed characters, love triangles, close familial relationships and turning stereotypes on their head.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Great beach read! Roommates by Ola Tundun is a rom-com about two opposites who move from roommates to much more. Predictable but the journey is so much fun!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for introducing me to Ola Tundun. I will look forward to reading more by this author.

If invested in quality writing or plot, I wouldn’t strongly recommend this book. However, if you’re one of the people who reads books for the vibes (i am too) I would recommend this book! A cheesy little romcom to remember.

I enjoyed this story for its realness. The characters and situations felt messy and real to me. Ariella Mason is a bit of a character who is regularly misunderstood for her stand-off personality. when in reality she is just super shy. I loved that her relationship breakup wasn't so white and black and her ventures into the dating world. Her supportive family was great to read about.

Caleb is a mess and he is using his sex appeal as a wall between true feelings. he is known as the guy who slept with the whole office

I loved the relationship and friendship between Caleb and Ariella was fun. The dry humor was a nice cherry on top

I loved that some of the standards we would associate with women were applied to men to show us that these situations can happen to men as well and that they are just as serious even those the gender roles are reversed.

I would have given this book a 4 and up had the last couple of chapters taken a turn. it was very clear that instead of leading the last chapers to a HEA. The last chapters started to create an almost new problem to leave us on a cliffhanger and have a second book.

I firmly believe that romance doesn't need two books. This book should have ended here - I will read the second book but I will judge it harder because it seems like a stretch to have this story be a series

A witty and warm romcom with some real heart. It was packed full of the classic tropes (room mates/enemies to lovers/sunshine x grumpy) to give that familiar vibe that was super easy to fall into and connect. I adored Ariella, but admittedly had a little issue with Caleb because as much as I got he was meant to be aloof and the tall/dark/handsome element, at times I felt there he didn't actually like Ariella or anyone for that matter.

If you love a trope, then Roomates is the book for you! The characters are perfectly written and I feel in love with the world & friendships that Ola wrote about. Not only do you get to be involved in the office rumours and dramas but you also get to be a part of Ariella's romance reckoning.

Ariella's character is wonderful and you genuinely want her to end up happy. I love her friendship with Lara and also enjoy her back & forth rapport that she has with practically everyone she meets. This is a romance where I felt myself urging Ariella to make certain decisions; although I can say she let me down on a few...

Caleb Black the notorious ladies man had such a lovely side to him, although his decision making skills also need at bit of work. (I swear to god that I will read the next book but I already know the start of its going to make me severely uncomfortable due to some of Mr Blacks bad decisions.)

This book shows the importance for not settling for anything less that you deserve and require, How having the right people around you that care and support you can boost you as a person. Ola has done a terrific job on this book and I'm already keeping my eyes peeled for the next.

Thank you Ola Tundun, Storm Publishing and Net Galley for the ARC.

DNF review. Sadly the story isn't captivating enough to keep going. I also don't like Calebs behaviour especially not at the beginning when he dismissed Ariella because of her clothes.

This was chaotic 😅 Ariella had just left her fiancé whom she'd been with for four years and moved into Caleb's flat as his roommate. She wanted to find herself, grow outside of the sheltered life she was used to. Caleb was instrumental in that. At first, it was hard to like him, seeing as he had a revolving door of hook-ups up until he caught feelings for Ariella.

Meanwhile, she was in denial, all the while meeting up with Jasper for "platonic" dates to get their friendship back on track. They had a lot of history together, so I get that it wasn't easy to move on. I just didn't like that she was kind of stringing both men along in a way, all the while playing victim.

Caleb and Ariella finally admitted their mutual feelings. The ending was so abrupt though, with a lot left unresolved. I understand it's because there's a sequel, but seeing as the book was already just over three hundred pages, I feel like it should've ended at just the one book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Absolutely loved this!
Ariella is not sure that what she wants is really what she wants...Jasper is a childhood friend turned boyfriend turned fiancé but something is missing.
When she decides to do a flit and move out her world suddenly becomes much bigger and her journey to find the missing thing is romantic, funny and in places cringy!
A joyful read with an ending that will leave you wanting more (and thankfully the implication is there will be another book!)

Thanks to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for an early copy of this stunning debut.
I really enjoyed this book and can't believe it's a debut! I loved getting to know Ariella and Caleb and I thought Lara made the most fantastic best friend.
I am delighted to see this is the start of a series. I can't wait to see what comes next from this author

I enjoyed this story for its realness. The characters and situations felt messy and real to me. Ariella Mason is a bit of a character who is regularly misunderstood for her stand-off personality. when in reality she is just super shy. I loved that her relationship breakup wasn't so white and black and her ventures into the dating world. Her supportive family was great to read about.

Caleb is a mess and he is using his sex appeal as a wall between true feelings. he is known as the guy who slept with the whole office

I loved the relationship and friendship between Caleb and Ariella was fun. The dry humour was a nice cherry on top

I loved that some of the standards we would associate with women were applied to men to show us that these situations can happen to men as well and that they are just as serious even those the gender roles are reversed.

I would have given this book a 4 and up had the last couple of chapters taken a turn. it was very clear that instead of leading the last chapers to a HEA. The last chapters started to create an almost new problem to leave us on a cliffhanger and have a second book.

I firmly believe that romance doesn't need two books. This book should have ended here - I will read the second book but I will judge it harder because it seems like a stretch to have this story be a series

Roommates follows ariella after she decides she isn't happy in her relationship. Maybe not handling it the best way, she leaves without so much as a goodbye. Needing somewhere to stay, she moves in with Caleb Black, a work colleague. Ariella plans to spend time with herself, and figure who and what she wants.


I started to like the book and ended up hating it and I'll tell you why I ended up hating it.

1 the way he left home leaving a post-it note on the fridge (and it seems to be his thing).

2 Ariella's dependence on Jasper made me very angry. why do you keep looking for him, talking to him, for a reason you left the house without saying anything, because you needed space and to find yourself again, which you didn't do.

3 the toxic relationship between the three of them (yes, it's a toxic relationship).

4 The way in which Caleb fell in love with Ariella, because of a comment from Ems you already fell in love with her, Jesus, you said that she was not your type, that you would never sleep with her and others. things and because of a comment from her you already fell blindly in love with her.

5 I hate cliffhangers in “Romance” books. I didn't like the ending, I know there is another book but it could have ended better.


I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

The cover of this one caught my eye on NetGalley and the premise drew me in. Ariella, a timid perfectionist, leaves her seemingly perfect life to rent a room for Caleb, outgoing playboy and entirely her opposite in an attempt to make find herself outside of her relationship.

It is any easy read (I read it in one sitting). While I struggled at times with the main characters and their choices they were complex and messy and the drama that ensued built clear until the end, leaving the reader hoping the sequel is right around the corner. Overall it was an entertaining read and I’m intrigued to see how it is concluded in the sequel or subsequent series.

Features:
Forced proximity
Complex characters and relationships
Opposites Attract
A little Spice
He falls first

Thank you Storm Publishing and NetGalley for this arc and chance to read and review.

As someone who is automatically on edge from alternating first person POV, I was probably not the target audience for this book. Which is quite remarkable given how much I read and enjoy romcoms. There were elements that sat really badly with me: cheating on partners, the whole "girl has PTSD protect her" trope, lack of character growth and communication leading to an ultimately undefined relationship. (I also don't really find someone being criticised for their lack of dating, clothing, and hobbies to be a romantic place to start in an "uplifting" romance...)

There was nothing to fault of Tundun's writing style, but fleshing out the story without a heavy reliance on tropes would be something to consider going forward.

Nothing too crazy with this one, but it was definitely cute. It did what it needed to do, I enjoyed it.

I have never read a book by this author before, but now cannot wait for the release of the follow up book.
The story of reawakening and finding themselves -Caleb is a commitment phobe who has deep seated issues and Ariella is a complex character who is introverted but yet has an underlying personality that has hidden depths.
The characters are so well written that at times you are championing Ariella and frustrated also by her lack of decision making but then when pushed you see a different side.
The interplay between friends and lovers trying to not only own but to influence relationships within this book are often comical,adding a further edge to the book.
This is an excellent read which leaves you wanting more.