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The American Roommate Experiment: A Novel (The Love Deception Series Book 2) Kindle Edition
- Print length 397 pages
- Language English
- Publisher Atria Books
- Publication date September 6, 2022
- File size 5455 KB
- Page Flip Enabled
- Word Wise Enabled
- Enhanced typesetting Enabled
- See all details
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About the author, excerpt. © reprinted by permission. all rights reserved., product details.
- ASIN : B09Q9WSZ9G
- Publisher : Atria Books (September 6, 2022)
- Publication date : September 6, 2022
- Language : English
- File size : 5455 KB
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 397 pages
- #160 in Multicultural & Interracial Romance (Kindle Store)
- #177 in Multicultural & Interracial Romance (Books)
- #845 in Romantic Comedy (Kindle Store)
About the author
Elena armas.
Elena Armas is a Spanish writer, a self confessed hopeless romantic, and much to Mr. B's dismay, a proud book hoarder. After years of devouring HEAs and talking––okay fine, yelling––nonstop about them, she has finally taken the leap and decided to create some of her own.
She hopes these stories make your heart skip a beat or two, your palms a little sweaty, and your cheeks flush in that rosy pink that makes other people want to peek at the page you are reading.
♡ NEWSLETTER: authorelenaarmas.com/newsletter
♡ FACEBOOK: facebook.com/authorelenaarmas
♡ FACEBOOK READER GROUP: facebook.com/groups/elenaarmasreadersgroup
♡ INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebibliotheque
♡ TIKTOK: tiktok.com/@thebibliotheque
♡ TWITTER: twitter.com/elenaarmasbooks
♡ PINTEREST: pinterest.com/thebibliotheque
♡ WEBSITE: www.authorelenaarmas.com
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Customers say
Customers enjoyed the story's cute and heartwarming qualities. They found the characters sweet, lovable, and lovely. The writing style was described as wonderful, witty, and down-to-earth. Customers enjoyed the entertaining and fun read with great banter and chemistry between the characters. The book explored themes of empathy and cultural appreciation.
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Customers enjoyed the story. They found it heartwarming, relatable, and well-written. The love story was beautiful and made them sad, happy, and laughing. The book had a rollercoaster of events with amazing tropes like friends to lovers.
"... This book felt real . More so than SLD somehow, and more than any of my other reads this year...." Read more
"...It's also light and upbeat enough that the format would've been ideal if the narration had been smoother." Read more
"...It is dual POVs of the main characters and has some amazing tropes like: friends to lovers, close proximity, a dating experiment and a slow burn..." Read more
"...It was so touching and sweet how their love story unfolds, and I cried my eyes out at multiple points...." Read more
Customers enjoy the book's sweetness. They find the characters lovable and lovely, complementing each other well. The book is described as romantic and a quick read with all the aspects of a rom-com.
"...than the dynamic between the characters in the first book, this romance is softer , sweeter, slower, and still just as sexy...." Read more
"...There was also some really good spice . The hero was definitely swoon worthy and I loved all the “fake” dates they had...." Read more
"...I loved this story, it was so sweet and the chemistry between the characters was so good from the start...." Read more
"...He’s sweet , attentive and protective. Their chemistry was 🤌🏽 and honestly their fake dates were my favorite scenes...." Read more
Customers enjoy the relatable characters in the book. They find the characters engaging and fun to watch, especially the hero. The writing style is also praised by readers.
"...There was also some really good spice. The hero was definitely swoon worthy and I loved all the “fake” dates they had...." Read more
"...One of the highlights of this novel is the authenticity of the characters ...." Read more
"I really loved this story. Lucas and Rosie are such sweet, lovable characters , and they are great together...." Read more
Customers enjoy the writing style. They find it well-written, witty, and easy to read. The characters are described as down-to-earth and thoughtful. Readers appreciate the book's playfulness and humor.
"...This was a really fun, cute easy read and I think it’s something every one would enjoy!..." Read more
"...Elena Armas is a truly amazing writer ." Read more
"...Just know that Lucas is amazing, thoughtful, caring, selfless, hilarious , cheeky, witty, I mean I could keep going...." Read more
"...The utter unraveling of both of these characters was perfect and beautifully written . 10/10 loved this freaking book...." Read more
Customers enjoyed the book. They found it entertaining and lighthearted, with great banter, chemistry, and angst between the characters. The story made them laugh and cry, drawing them in and keeping them reading. It's a great choice for a workday listen, with a slow-burn romance that lends itself to an enjoyable listening experience.
"...It does make a great choice for a workday listen though, as the slow burn romance lends itself well to the format...." Read more
"...It was insta-lust as well but there was still some great banter , chemistry, and angst between them. There was also some really good spice...." Read more
"...This was a really fun , cute easy read and I think it’s something every one would enjoy!..." Read more
"...It offers an engaging and enjoyable reading experience , perfect for those seeking a feel-good story that" Read more
Customers appreciate the book's heartfeltness and thoughtfulness. They find the characters authentic and engaging, with thoughtful gestures. The novel explores themes of empathy and cultural appreciation.
"...Through Lily and Mia's interactions, the novel explores themes of empathy , cultural appreciation, and the importance of embracing diversity...." Read more
"...Just know that Lucas is amazing, thoughtful , caring, selfless, hilarious, cheeky, witty, I mean I could keep going...." Read more
"...This is truly an escapist romance that’s extremely heartfelt . Be sure to add this one to your list!..." Read more
"...It draws you in and keeps you reading to get to the next delightful, thoughtful , life-giving moment - like being kind to a neighbor that made its..." Read more
Customers have different views on the pacing of the book. Some enjoyed the slow buildup of events and the relationship between characters. Others felt the pacing was too slow or dragged on.
"...And, honestly, this didn't at first. The beginning is MUCH weaker than the second half, and it takes awhile to find its footing - but it definitely..." Read more
"...While there were some amusing and heartfelt moments, the pacing of the story was very slow and I was just expecting a little bit more...." Read more
"...Experiment" is a delightful and heartwarming novel that captures the essence of friendship , cultural exchange, and personal growth...." Read more
"...I disliked about this book (AND the first) was that I felt that they ended too fast ..." Read more
Customers find the book boring and hard to get into. They find it illogical, silly, and unnecessary. Some reviewers also mention that the book is raunchy.
"...Sorry, but this was freaking boring . It just kept putting me to sleep...." Read more
"...Again, just too much dragging on that made the book a little boring and hard to get into.That being said, I enjoyed Lucas’ character...." Read more
"...Chapter 1, being inside Rosie’s head, was hard to get through ...." Read more
"...too much- lots of use of the F word, like lots of use, and it seemed unnecessary , not in keeping with the story, and kind of raunchy which was not..." Read more
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5.0 out of 5 stars best one yet
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5.0 out of 5 stars Fun, fantastic read!
5.0 out of 5 stars muito satisfeita.
5.0 out of 5 stars llegó precioso y no puedo esperar leerlo
5.0 out of 5 stars elena armas, 5.0 out of 5 stars loved it, report an issue.
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The American Roommate Experiment
Imagine if you were alone in your best friend’s NYC apartment and you heard someone trying to come in through the locked door. You aren’t expecting anyone, so you fear this may be an intruder up to no good. What would you do? I would imagine that, like me, your first instinct would be to grab your phone and key up 9-1-1. Your emotions would certainly contain fear and outrage and some measure of hostility. And when you learn that instead of an intruder, the person breaking in is, in fact, your best friend’s relative with a legitimate reason to be there, you’d apologize for the mistake, but you’d hardly beat yourself up for assuming the worst.
And yet this is exactly our introduction to Rosie Graham, who has escaped to her honeymooning best friend Lina’s empty studio apartment after her own apartment suffers a ceiling cave-in. When Lucas, Lina’s sexy Spanish cousin, shows up with his own key, Rosie loses the ability to act like a rational human being. She falls all over herself in apology for making a mistake anyone would in such a situation, as if she were the biggest buffoon on the planet. Even more confusing is why she feels the need to lie about her reason for being there when Lucas sees all of her belongings and the perishable food items she’s trying to salvage. Lina is her best friend, she has a spare key, and her apartment is uninhabitable. Of course she would go there. Yet Rosie feels shame and guilt and the need to hide her situation from a guy she’s never met. Why?
It may be because Rosie has been stalking Lucas via Instagram for months and has a massive crush on him. (Okay for teen girls and their heartthrobs but kind of creepy for an adult woman.) When she finally encounters the guy in person, she becomes the equivalent of a thirteen year old boy trying to ask the prom queen for a date. She blurts and verbally stumbles in ways that I imagine are meant to make her adorable and relatable, but since she mentally bashes herself for her foot-in-mouth blunders, proves that she’s too self aware to be so silly.
Anyway, after some ‘No, you take it’ back and forth-ing between Lucas and Rosie over who should remain in the studio, they decide to share it. She’ll sleep in the bed, he’ll sleep on the sofa. They certainly won’t develop any kind of relationship beyond friendship because he’s heading back to Spain in six weeks and she’s… well, she’s got no real reason but whatever.
Lucas soon demonstrates that the positive traits he’s cultivated via Instagram are a mere hint of his true perfection. He’s charming. He’s a great cook. He loves dogs. He’s gorgeous and looks stunning without a shirt. And he proves to be a true friend when he offers to take Rosie on some ‘experimental dates’ to help jump start her writing muse. You see, despite her successful career as an engineer, Rosie really wants to be a romance writer. Her first book was so well received that she gained a publishing contract, inspiring her to quit her job so that she can write full time. Except she’s got a terrible case of Imposter Syndrome and hasn’t managed to write a word, even with a deadline looming. She’s hoping that going on some fake dates with Lucas will remind her of what romance and falling in love is all about, and this will kick her muse in the butt.
Lucas and Rosie date. They flirt. They each deal with some personal demons – him an injury that ended his pro-surfing career, her the mysterious behaviour of her little brother who seems to have gotten himself into some kind of trouble. Through it all, they despair that despite their obvious feelings for each other, they have no future together once their shared apartment situation comes to an end.
As characters, Rosie and Lucas are fairly traditional contemporary love interests. When we are in Rosie’s head, she’s ditzy and insecure. But when we are in Lucas’s head, she comes across much more appealing and pulled together. Conversely, Lucas presents himself as unworthy and broken, yet Rosie sees him as suave and worldly. I could never decide if this was some clever writing trick or just a case of inconsistent characterization.
My biggest issue with The American Roommate Experiment is that there is absolutely no reason that Rosie and Lucas can’t be together as a couple. I never understood why their dates had to be experimental instead of real. They’re openly attracted to each other. Lucas’s imminent return to Spain would prove no more than a hiccup if they planned a future together. Rosie’s mental angst about them being ‘just friends’ and their dates being ‘just experiments’ make her look a bit dimwitted given how openly Lucas expresses his attraction and more-than-friendly affection for her. Even worse, possibly, is Lucas’ conviction that he is damaged goods with no prospects or nothing to offer her, especially since his career-ending injury was trotted out only when this particular plot point was needed. Too, if you missed the multitude of anvils about Lucas being a great cook and the convenient fact that their neighbor’s daughter is the executive chef at the trendiest restaurant in the city, then you must have read a different book. Some stuff is mentioned about Rosie’s bad dating history and Lucas’ determination not to date. It seemed as if Armas couldn’t come up with a good conflict to keep these two apart, so she just threw a bunch of stuff out there to see what the cat would lick up.
This is sold as a slow burn romance, with the strangers-to-friends-to-lovers trajectory. However, given Rosie’s Instagram-inspired crush and lack of conflict between the two, I never got the sensation of slow anything. Rosie and Lucas are instant friends, their attraction is open and obvious, and there is never any doubt as to where they will end up. Any slowness in the development of their relationship is the result of manufactured drama or interrupted intimacy.
The American Roommate Experiment is a stand-alone sequel to The Spanish Love Deception . I suppose if you loved Armas’ first book, you will enjoy this one as well. I found it to be a case of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts. Several times I groaned in exasperation, but I felt compelled to keep reading so clearly something worked. But if you want a really good ‘forced to share an apartment’ love story, check out Neil Simon’s 1977 movie classic The Goodbye Girl . It’s a bit dated, but dang if it doesn’t hit the enemies-to-friends-to-lovers trope on the head.
Buy it at: Amazon , Audible or your local bookshop !
Visit our amazon storefront, recent comments.
Jenna Harper
Jenna harper's reviews.
I gave up on this one after awhile. I’m not a fan of ditzy female characters and Rosie acted more like a teenager than an adult.
I have too many good books that I want to reread to spend time reading m’eh books.
It’s a shame that this one’s so mediocre, it sounded cute.
Her first book was so well received that she gained a publishing contract, inspiring her to quit her job so that she can write full time.
It’s one thing to quit a job to write full time if you’re established as an author, but who in their right mind does this after the first book?
I don’t mind authors writing wish-fulfillment fantasies for characters who are writers, as long as those fantasies are believable, but this one doesn’t seem to be.
Book Review: The American Roommate Experiment
What is a better way to start a relationship with someone, your best friend’s cousin, than calling the cops on them? Answer: There is none, especially if it's a rom-com novel—the perfect first encounter. This is what happens to Rosie Graham when she unexpectedly comes across Lucas Martin, her best friend’s cousin, “breaking into her out of town friends apartment” and calls the cops. New flash, he was not breaking in; he had a key, but little did she know that this was the start of an excellent relationship and a well-written, feel-good book because everyone needs a decent, feel-good book in their lives, right? Well, at least for me, that book is not The American Roommate Experiment by Elena Armas. I mean, yes, technically, the novel is a feel-good book, but it is also so much more. It's about overcoming your past and moving forward. It’s about loving yourself and supporting others. It’s about allowing yourself to rely on others. The American Roommate Experiment is an emotional rollercoaster bundled up into 400 pages. That made me feel anywhere from devastated to ecstatic, to awe, to hate, and to love in a single chapter.
That being said, I didn’t enjoy The American Roommate Experiment by Elena Armas as much as its prequel, The Spanish Love Deception. I found the plot too slow, even for a slow-burn-type book, and overly stacked with tropes. While I enjoy a good friends-to-lovers trope, in this case, I found it extremely frustrating, and generally, I found that Lucas and Rosie lacked the necessary chemistry. I mean, water and oil have better chemistry. Both Lucas and Rosie would, in my opinion, make better friends than lovers, and the romance piece felt like an afterthought in the plot and their relationship. It is still a well-written novel with fascinating characters and a well-needed message. I adored the character development that progressed but found the romance part severely lacking. The best way I would describe The American Roommate Experiment is a modern feel-good comedy, and if that is what you’re looking for? Great. It is a perfect read, but don’t go looking for a romance novel.
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