Today’s review is about THE ROOMMATE RISK by Talia Hibbert. This is a standalone contemporary romance with years of pining packed into a few short weeks of close proximity. Hibbert delivers in this romance full of tension and unpacking various family trauma and complexes.

Author: Talia Hibbert
Series: None
Age Category: Adult
Publisher: Nixon House
Publish Date: May 05, 2021
Print Length: 286

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The Roommate Risk Synopsis

The Roommate Risk Review

THE ROOMMATE RISK is packed full of friendship, pining, and tension. If you haven’t already read this contemporary romance, then you’re missing out! Free spirited Jasmine and uptight Rahul met in college, each obviously attracted to the other. But Jasmine only does short term flings and Rahul wants something something serious, so instead they decide to be friends. Seven years later, their friendship holds true, until Jasmine is forced to crash at Rahul’s place after her a plumbing issue renders her room inhabitable. Close proximity every day leads to a reckoning of years’ long repressed feelings.

The official synopsis provides a pretty good idea of what the story is about. But it doesn’t quite hint at the deep dive both characters do into their own emotional and mental well being. Jasmine’s mother left her with her father when she was a young girl. And although Jasmine has a great relationship with her father, she has abandonment and self-worth issues that she has thus far refused to consciously work through. As a result, Jasmine can’t commit to long-term relationships because of her fear that she won’t be good enough for any potential partner to stick around.

With respect to Rahul, his father died suddenly a year prior to this story. This unfortunate life event makes him feel like he has to take on the role of head of the family. He feels it especially keenly because he is the only son in a Middle Eastern household and wants to uphold what he thinks is traditionally expected of him.

I really appreciated the depth and care the author allowed for Jasmine and Rahul to eventually explore their hurt. It adds an extra level of trust and caring between the two characters when they eventually steer toward that happily ever after.

I also have to gush about the pining and tension, which is some of the best I’ve read so far. The characters’ chemistry is phenomenal. I don’t know how Hibbert managed to pack so much tension into a relatively short novel, but she did. The tension, spice, dialogue, and relationship growth never felt rushed and read so perfectly on page. It’s so evident how deeply Rahul cares when THE ROOMMATE RISK shifts to his point of view, how well he knows Jasmine.

If I haven’t convinced you yet, then just decide for yourself and pick up THE ROOMMATE RISK. This is a must read for contemporary romance fans, or even if you need a change of pace from a different genre.

Rating: 4.25
Content warnings: death of parent, abandonment, alcohol, sexual content
Reading format: Kindle e-book

If you liked this book, you may also enjoy FUNNY FEELINGS by Tarah DeWitt.