There's comedy with just the right amount of family drama. I wish it had a little more romance in it. I'm excited to read her future books.

It does exactly what it sets out to do, a palate cleanser of a cozy friends to lovers romcom. Rosie was a very sweet character, her journey of self felt so plausible and her neuroses relatable. Aled is so perfect he's unbelievable, no real life man is this wonderful - it might as well have been a fantasy novel...! All in all, a nice and sweet read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are my own

Cute rom-com story that I'm glad I got to read. I had a lot of anger against James, that man is truly a lugnut. The writing is quite perfect in the way of the amount of buildup and nonnecessary information. Good book

After being dumped, and leaving her job, Rosie needs a flat mate to help he keep up with rent payments. Aled moves in while work is done on his flat upstairs, but he has some secrets. What will happen when she finds them out, after being lied to before.

I really enjoyed this book. Rosie is an immediately charming character who you want to find her happy ever after and its clear, that won't be with her selfish boyfriend who is not only mean to her, but treats her like a doormat. Enter handsome Aled - the new landlord who is quiet, shy and, mysterious . As Rosie's life implodes when her boyfriend ups and leaves her with no money to cover the rent he is supposed to pay half of and as she quits her job, she is desperate and right then, along comes Aled, who rents her spare room and saves her from having to lose her beloved flat. Rosie is determined to keep the relationship platonic and to keep Aled at a distance but sometimes, life has other ideas. So sweet, I really enjoyed it. Would be a perfect holiday read!

"The Spare Room" by Laura Starkey is a lovely read. It seamlessly weaves together warmth, depth, and thoughtfulness, making it a cozy read from start to finish.

When the main character, Rosie, plans for a perfect evening crumble (along with her love life), she encounters heartbreak and the challenge of making ends meet. Enter Aled, her upstairs neighbor in need of temporary shelter. What begins as a practical solution leads both on a captivating journey of what-ifs in life and love. With its heartwarming premise and endearing characters, this book delivers a charming escape into the joys and surprises of unexpected connections.

A contemporary romance novel that follows the story of Rosie, who is unexpectedly dumped by her boyfriend and needs to rent out her spare room to make ends meet. Aled, her upstairs neighbour, needs a place to stay while his own place is being renovated, and they agree to become flatmates. Rosie is determined to stay single after her breakup, but spending time with Aled starts to change her mind. As they navigate their new living situation, they begin to develop feelings for each other. However, they must confront their pasts and insecurities before they can take the next step in their relationship.

I absolutely loved this book! Straight from the beginining I didn’t want to put it down, It starts with Rosie and James living together and we learn of how their relationship works. The building they live in’s owner passes away and it has a new owner.
A mysterious man catches Rosie literally as she falls and she wonders who he is. The relationship plays out with James and we see how this new stranger fits into her life.
I will definitely be looking out for mor books by Laura. It’s a really enjoyable book to read

This is such a sweet little rom-com palette cleanser

The FMC is someone who can't help root for after a lot of knockdowns in her life.

The MMC is a sweet little black cat of love interest and a very sweet story.

Perfect little love story to pick you up after a hard day

I enjoyed this book despite it being quite a predictable read.

I enjoyed the characters of Aled and Rosie and their friends. I also like the way that the relationship between Rosie and her mom improved towards the end of the book.

It wasn't anything new but I still found it a light, enjoyable read.

Brilliantt book loved it. Couldnt put it down! Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy, Highly recommend

Rosie and James have been together 10 years and she finally thinks he is going to propose. Instead he breaks up with her via a letter and immediately leaves their flat, leaving Rosie without a partner and a roommate. Aled, who recently moved in upstairs, offers a solution - he will move in with Rosie while building work is going on in his flat. It’s the ideal solution for them both, until they realise their feelings may be more complicated than just roommates.

This is a fun, standard romance with two very likeable characters who discover feelings for each other. Rosie is total sunshine, whilst Aled struggles to speak to most people except the students he teaches, but finds himself able to open up to Rosie.

A lot of the book focuses on fat phobia and Rosie’s self worth being so linked to her physique. As someone curvier than average I was a little taken aback in how accurate it felt to my own experiences, but also how much I didn’t really want to read my inner thoughts on the page. This is no issue of the author’s of course, and credit to her insight into Rosie’s character - but just wasn’t something I’d usually choose to read.

This is a closed door romance which are seldom for me, especially when the book hints at us getting more than a literal shut spare room door in the face come the time for these two to get it on. I also found it a little repetitive at times with Rosie’s inner monologue, and a very dramatic lack of communication/dramatic chase across the country drive, but overall it was fun.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an arc of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book is so cuteee- It was seriously so sweet I was smiling with every interaction Aled and Rosie had. This slow burn was so worth the wait. I loved the pining and the roommates to lovers dynamic they had.

I felt so bad for everything Rosie had to go through with her family and ex, but I am so happy she found Aled and his group of friends. The man was absolutely perfect - a professor who read books, watched romcoms, wore glasses, and recited poetry for her. 🫠 He was such a hopeless romantic. And Rosie’s character development was absolutely perfect! special thanks to the author and netgalley for the arc copy of this book in exchange for my honest review 4/5 stars!!

Absolutely brilliant, loved it. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me an advance copy, I will definitely be recommending.

I really loved the last Laura Starkey book that I read so I was very much looking forward to diving into this one. I was expecting feels, romance and some humour thrown in for good measure and the book delivered.

Rosie was definitely a loveable main character and I was rooting for her from the beginning. She'd found herself dumped, career-less and pretty miserable in her early thirties, but was able to use all of this to realise what she actually wanted from her life. I really admired that she was able to recognise her own faults in where her life had gotten to and take accountability rather than someone swooping in as her hero and rescuing her. With friends like Niamh and Rhianne, she didn't have much of a choice.

For me, this book was much more about Rosie and her relationship with herself as opposed to any romantic relationship that she may or may not have had on the horizon; and I loved it. I'm a sucker for a "turned my life around" plot line. That's not to say I didn't enjoy the romantic relationship that blossomed; being an English girl with my own marvellous Welshman, I can understand how Rosie fell hard. Devoured this book super quickly and it was just what I needed at the right time.

Rosie is living a settled life, a job that pays the bills, a flat she loves and a long-term relationship of ten years.

But when she comes home to her boyfriend with his bag packed and ready to leave a break-up letter; her world will soon change.

I loved the character of Rosie and felt I connected with her in so many ways.

Starkey writes a narrative full of personal growth for so many characters that this was an all-round-feel good novel, and I didn't feel any character was left out.

This writing style was easy to read and flowed that I read this in one sitting and will always look forward to this author's novels.

Thai book just wasn’t my style and I had trouble finishing it. I tried several times to pick it back up, but just not my thing.

Two unexpected flatmates. One shared space. Will they cross the line into love?

I enjoyed this cute little romance more than I should have!

Aled was a mysterious king and I loved him.

I rated this 3 stars!

"The Spare Room" by Laura Starkey is cosy, romantic fiction that makes you feel warm inside. It is the story of Rosie who's boyfriend James treats her like dirt then dumps her, and how she finds her own self confidence along the way to recovery.
Laura's characters were really well drawn, I especially loved Rosie and Rhianne, Alex's enthusiastic Welsh cousin.

If you are looking for a well written escapist book this is the one for you. I definitely will be recommending it. !!!

The Spare Room by Laura Starkey was an absolutely delightful rom-com.
Laura has a way of crafting totally lovable characters. I really enjoyed this quick-witted, heartfelt romance. This was an easy book to get lost in. The plot was fun, the story well developed, the writing was just fantastic and the characters were what truly made this such an enjoyable read.
A sweet roommates to lovers rom-com.

Thank You NetGalley and Embla Books for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!