Roommate by Sarina Bowen Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads
Synopsis:
Wanted: One roommate to share a 3-bedroom house, split the rent, and ideally not be the guy I can’t stop thinking about.
I’m a man with too many secrets, so the last thing I need is a new roommate with a sexy smile and blue eyes that see right through me. Eight years ago, Roderick left town after high school. We’re not friends. I owe him nothing. But back then, I let one of my secrets slip, and he’s the only one who noticed.
Part of me knows I should run far, far away. But the other part wants him to come upstairs and spend the night. But if I let him in, I could lose everything.Seeking: A room to rent in town. I’m tidy, have no pets, and I will feed you homemade bread.
I should probably add: Gay AF, and has no filter. It’s no wonder my new landlord is so wary of me.
A smarter man would ignore those hot glances from Kieran Shipley. The broody lumberjack wants more from me than another homemade pretzel, but if I push my luck, I’ll end up back on the street.
Too bad I’ve never been smart with my heart ...
Review
Woooo my first book of 2021!
I had been in a bit of a rut after re-reading the ACOTAR books in preparation for ACOSF and when this eARC showed up on my Kindle, I knew this was going to be exactly what I needed. Sarina Bowen comfort reading. I will start by saying that it had been a while since I read some of the True North books (this book is a standalone so you don’t have to read them to read this) so I had been thinking that Kieran had the personality of Kyle (LOL OOPS). Don’t worry, got that straight in my head right away.
This book was definitely an emotional one. Kieran doesn’t expressly know the exact terms of his sexuality but he DOES know that when he saw Roderick Waites under the bleachers in high school performing a super steamy act of sexiness to another guy he was super turned on, and it’s something he STILL thinks about today, eight years later. Imagine his mortification when Roderick shows up around town, asking for a job at the very coffee shop he works at. Already a quiet, and VERY private guy, he’s worried Roderick is going to out him immediately.
Enter Roderick, a guy who is very secure in his sexuality but who also has just exited an extremely toxic relationship with barely his car and the clothes on his back. When he’s offered a trial run at Zara’s coffee shop, you better he’s going to be on his best behavior in order to keep that job. Especially because he’s been sleeping in his car and it’s starting to get real cold at night. He needs every last paycheck he can get.
As we all know from the synopsis and even the title of the book, the two end up becoming roommates and Kieran eventually warms up to Roderick after he realizes he’s not going to say anything about their past. Roderick teaches Kieran to cook (which is so freaking cute) and their relationship keep on progressing from there.
I think the best part of this book was seeing Kieran gain confidence in himself. He sticks it to his boss’s son at work, he becomes enrolled in school in order to take more design classes, he gives in to his attraction to Roderick, and through a series of crazy and yes unfortunate events, FINALLY sorts out some crazy family stuff that he’s been sitting on for years and years. I loved Kieran’s solid and steady presence and how he never was truly worried about anyone finding out abut his relationship with Roderick even though this was his first relationship with another man. No, his insecurities always lay in keeping things private, especially when it came to family matters based on a secret he learned when he was very young. Roderick stole the show with his bright and sunny personality and of course, since this is a Sarina Bowen novel, his FOOD. I swear I always wind up hungry after finishing her books and want to try making all these new things, lol.
P.S. The second best part of this book was learning that Grandpa Shipley now has a girlfriend named Lydia LOLLL
Huge thanks to Tuxbury Publishing LLC for allowing me to read an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!♥
This one is on my wish list. I haven’t read any of others, but that’s good it can be a stand-alone. It sounds SO good.
-Lauren
ShootingStarsMag recently posted…(Review) Marion Lane and the Midnight Murder
Actually, even though she has quite a few series and there are call backs to other characters in each book, she’s written all of them to stand alone! Which is really nice for busy people since there are so many at this point, lol!
What a great book to start 2021! I adore Sarina Bowen, I love the True North series, and I can’t wait to read this one, too! I can’t wait to meet Kieran and Roderick. (And I love that Grandpa Shipley has a girl! LOL)
Tanya @ Girl Plus Books recently posted…Review: In the Penalty Box by Lynn Rush & Kelly Anne Blount #NewRelease #EntangledTeen
Lol I’m hoping we get to hear more when Daphne’s book comes out eventually!!!! But I agree. Truth North World/Vermont is definitely my cozy, happy place.
The premise definitely poses immediate tension for the characters. This author created excellent characters and it sounds fun to read.
It definitely was! Even if the characters end up going on a deeply emotional journey, it always still ends up being a good time and has its funny moments when I can appreciate!