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>