I was completely addicted!

Jess is having the worst day when she meets Sydney who isn’t having the best day herself after a devastating break up with girlfriend. When Sydney isn’t there as they arranged to catch the train home, Jess resides herself to never seeing her again, until she turns up in hers and Chloe’s flat as their new roommate. And now everything is tense.

Firstly, this started with one of the cutest meetings I think I have ever come across and if life is really like this, I want to live there! From that first second of Jess and Sydney meeting I was invested in them, despite Austin, and the fact this was a chance meeting. I really felt for Jess though because Sydney had proved instantly that kindness doesn’t cost anything, which was most endearing, but Jess had Austin and worried about ending up like her parents keeping her secured in that relationship no matter what fleeting feelings she’d had about Sydney. While them meeting again was definitely fate at play, and heartbreaking in more than one ways for Sydney, it was Jess my heart went out to. We got to know a lot about her and her situation that helped to empathise with why she was fighting her feelings and attraction to Sydney so hard.

Jess and Sydney obviously weren’t alone in this story with Chloe, their roommate, and Austin caught up in their not-so-relationship. And the other family members that played a part in the story too, brought new and exciting elements to keep pushing Jess and Sydney together in the cutest of ways. They had this fantastic connection and there was no way they could just be friends, but if they’d had to I was sure they’d have found a way to make that work out and support on another.

Just a perfect, addictive romance that I couldn’t put down. It was cute, exciting, and packed with wonderful moments to make you believe in soul mates and true love.

Cute little romance with likeable characters and a fun storyline. My only issue with the book is the main character's lack of communication skills, but overall it's an enjoyable meet-cute story. I would definitely read more by this author.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

I think this book was really well written, and was a fun read. I liked that Jess wrestled with her sexuality and it wasn't just jumping right into Sydney. The tension seemed natural and not manufactured, which I appreciated from the author. And it made it when Jess and Sydney got together even better and more believable. I could have done without the roommate thinking she also liked Sydney, but it was essential to the story. I would definitely recommend this to friends.

I absolutely LOVED this book. In fact, it’s one of the best romcom’s that I’ve read in quite awhile. The Roommate features Sydney who works and lives with her sister, Rachel. They run a small company, called Makes Scents, making and selling soap scents. Sydney must find a place to live following a breakup with her ex-girlfriend. She has temporarily been living with Rachel and Rachel’s seven year old son, Ben.

Jess is a hair stylist and is the roommate of Chloe. They are in need of an additional roommate. One day following her father’s latest wedding, Jess meets Sydney on her train ride home. It’s a magical experience that leaves both women are attracted to each other. But Jess has a boyfriend, Austin, of eight years.

Following this magical meeting Sydney answers an ad for a roommate and Chloe interviews her and immediately offers her the room. The story goes on to tell how Jess and Sydney fall for each other while living in the same house.

Things that I truly adored about this book included the writing, the character development, Sydney and Jess’ magical meeting, the character of Ben, and the other supporting cast including Pam, Violet, Rachel, and “Pebbles”.

I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Jess meets Sydney on a train and feels an instant connection. There are just a few problems. Jess has a boyfriend and she doesn’t like women like that, or so she thinks. That’s okay though, as despite arranging to meet again later and missing each other, fate drags them right back together again as roommates.

I really enjoyed this book - it felt a bit slow to start with but the last 20% really made up for it and is what solidified my four star review. The characters were likeable - apart from Austin - and I could empathise with Jess’s struggles in coming to terms with her sexuality. As far as tropes go you have miscommunication, and forced proximity. The book has a good level of spice, however not lots of it. The ending was so lovely and really wholesome. I disagreed with others who felt that the main characters had limited chemistry - I thought their connection was palpable and very clear from their initial interactions. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next one from Claire Forsythe in the future.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bold Stroke Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

COULD NOT STOP READING!
LOVED THE WAY THE STORY PULLED YOU IN!

Jess' dad is getting married AGAIN. She is on the train in a very foul mood dreading having to watch as the gold digger marries her unsuspecting father. She meets Sydney on the train. Sydney is blatantly flirting with her and Jess is feeling some type of way. She has never found herself attracted to women at all so why is she getting butterflies when Sydney looks at her that way. After an amazing hour or so on the train they plan to meet up that evening. When Sydney does not show Jess is disappointed however unsure why. She has a boyfriend so why is she feeling this way especially for a WOMAN? Upon arriving home she contemplates if she could ever date a woman. Well her and Chloe need a roommate and low and behold the person who walks in the door is none other than Sydney. She has not been able to stop thinking about Sydney for weeks since the encounter on the train. Jess has to work through many things... Her boyfriend, Sydney, Chloe and all of the in between.

YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED IF YOU GET THIS!

This novel. There were parts I liked, and parts I disliked. Overall, the dislike won, but it was not all bad. There were so many elements that I didn’t like in this novel, although to its credit there was usually some minor redeeming elements at play; an explanation or justification was given even though it was very underwhelming. This novel tried, it truly did, and I have to give it some credit for that. It somehow felt very long and dragged despite being a relatively short novel, which isn’t a good thing.

The meet-cute was nice. The overall structure of the novel had a lot of potential. I think the characters had a lot of chemistry….. but that just made their utter refusal to get together more annoying.

This got a “C-“ from me, and I’m rounding down to 2-stars.

Nitpicks from me in no particular order:
-Cartoonishly bad boyfriend. I know its a common thing in romances to make the current love interest over-the-top awful to make the new love interest look better (and so we don’t feel bad for the former one), but honestly I always find it lazy and annoying.
-Why did they keep calling her straight? She had openly admitted she was into her?
-This novel somehow managed to have protagonists that were good at communicating sometimes yet also incredibly bad at communicating at other times. “Almost” like it changed moment to moment in order to serve the plot.
-Why did they wait so long to get together, particularly after “obstacles” were no longer in the way (did I avoid spoilers, lol?)? At a certain point I didn’t really see any good reason for the protagonists not getting together other than to drag out the novel.
-There was a side romance, and I hated it. It was objectively toxic and awful from what we saw, yet it was thrown in at the end as something we were supposed to be happy about?

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free copy. This honest review was left voluntarily.

This is a sweet and well-written romance with plenty of tension and emotion. Jess and Sydney’s connection is clear right from the start, and their journey from strangers to housemates—and eventually something more—keeps you hooked. Jess’s struggle with her feelings and Sydney’s hope make their story relatable and engaging. That said, once Austin is out of the picture, it takes too long for Jess and Sydney to finally get together, which can feel a bit frustrating. Even so, their chemistry is undeniable, and the ending is worth the wait. A solid 4 stars!

3,5 ⭐️
It started out really wonderfully and spontaneously on a train, but then it took a really long route to its destination.
A bit too long for me to be honest.
After a while there was simply no reason not to follow this attraction or give in to it.
However, Sydney has to suffer for a long time because Jess is reserved and unsure about dating a woman.
I didn't really understand why she kept the whole thing a secret from her best friend, even though she knew about the woman on the train.
Well, this meet-cute, very slow-burn romance is for anyone who likes to wait a long time for something really good.
Because it was good.
It was sweet and flirty and hot at the end.
Well written, but I had trouble warming to Jess.
Quite the opposite of Sydney and Chloe...but that's just me.
It was a nice love story.
Thanks to Bold Strokes Books and Netgalley and of course the Author for the Arc!

Very enjoyable and cute romance! I really liked the dynamic between Jess and Sydney, and I'm confused by other reviews saying they have no chemistry. I disagree, I think they have excellent chemistry and the book has a ton of banter and scenes between the two MCs. Sydney in particular I really liked, I loved her positive energy and outgoing personality.

There were a couple of minor things I disliked, mainly Jess staying with Austin for so long, and the conclusion was a bit of a stereotypical Hallmark romance ending.

Overall, however, I think this was a very sweet book. Enjoyable characters, good banter, and fun tropes make this book a solid 4.8/5 stars rounded up!

Claire Forsythe’s The Roommate is a heartfelt and refreshingly unique romance that delivers far more than its premise initially suggests. While the setup might seem familiar—two strangers navigating life as roommates—the story delves into unexpected depths, exploring personal growth, emotional obstacles, and the complexities of human connection.

Forsythe has a gift for creating relatable characters, and that’s where this book truly shines. The challenges faced by the protagonists feel authentic, with obstacles that are deeply human and easy to empathize with. Their journey, both individually and together, is compelling, and the emotional resonance ensures readers are fully invested in their story.

What sets The Roommate apart is its balance of romance and realism. While the romantic connection is undeniably engaging, the story also tackles themes of self-discovery, communication, and overcoming past traumas. Forsythe skillfully weaves these elements into a narrative that feels both modern and timeless.

Despite mixed reviews, this book is a standout for its relatability and the fresh take it brings to the romance genre. Forsythe’s ability to blend humor, heartache, and hope makes The Roommate an engrossing read that offers something for everyone. Whether you’re here for the romance or the emotional journey, this story delivers in all the best ways. A must-read for fans of contemporary romance with depth.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this book!

This was a good one! I really enjoyed this book. I had a hard time putting this one down. I really enjoyed the writing style and the characters chemistry was great. This was a first for me by this author but will not be my last!

**| received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher Bold Strokes Books . All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**


The roommate is a story about two people with a chance encounter finding each other Back In one another’s lives.

Jess meets Sydney on a train in London and has an instant connection. They have to go their separate ways but plan to meet later that evening on the train. Sydney never showed up so Jess goes along her way.
But what chance- there is an open vacancy in the apartment Jess lives at and guess who ends up filling it?
You guessed it- Sydney.

Despite their initial attraction, Jess is in a relationship and also has never liked women before.

The story ends up being one of friendship, curiosity and finding oneself. It was a fun read overall and I personally enjoyed being able to see the struggle of both Jess and Sydney as they tried to figure out what they wanted and what they deserved. I felt on the page the feelings of Jess questioning who they were and battling everything she thought she knew. On the flip side, Sydney dealing with feelings with someone who was currently questioning themselves but also balancing self worth.

Ben was a cute aspect to the book. I also loved the way the story wrapped up in the end. Even though the connection is instant, I appreciated how the timing worked in the book. There was no rushed story and there relationship seemed organic for what situations they were in. There also was no big betrayal or third act common trope that was appreciated. Even though there was some miscommunication, it didn’t seem forced and I felt lime in the places it happened- I could see if happening like that in real life.

Absolutely brilliant book!
I am a big fan of this author and love the writing style!
I cant wait to read more!

2.5 ⭐

I had high hopes for this book, but it turned out to be a bit disappointing for me.

Several aspects didn’t work for me. I struggled to connect with Jess, despite my efforts. Her insistence on being straight, despite clear signs to the contrary, and her decision to stay with a boyfriend who was utterly insufferable, were frustrating. For nearly half the book, I found myself wanting to shake some sense into her. Sydney, at least, was a likable character.

The lack of chemistry between the main characters was another letdown. While their feelings were described, I couldn’t understand where they came from. That said, Ben was a good addition and brought some lighthearted moments to the story. I usually enjoy slow-burn romances, but this one felt like it dragged too long before reaching any meaningful connection.

Now, to the main reason for my low rating: Despite being a relatively short book, these 20 chapters felt unnecessarily long. This made it a challenging read at times. Additionally, the frequent changes in point of view, especially in the early chapters, were confusing. It often took a while to realize whose perspective I was reading until a name was mentioned.

Overall, this book had the potential to be something unique, but it missed the mark. I wouldn’t call it a bad book, but be prepared for a slow and occasionally frustrating read.

This book didn't catch me at all.

Since the start it has been a complicated and slow read for me even if it was a short book. The chapters are very long, thing that makes the read feel slower and more dense. This with the lack of space between lines makes you feel like choking at moments.

The change between POV is confusing at moments and sometimes you don't even know who you are reading until a name is mentioned. About the story, I didn't feel chemistry or connection between the MC's, and as long as it gets better around chapter 7 the continuous back and forth on the story is tiring and exhausting. Everything is so slow and at the last chapters so rushed.

<b>Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for gifting me with a free copy. Opinions are my own and are freely given.</b>