The American Roommate Experiment is an Erotic Contemporary Romance Novel, and only the second book published by Elena Armas. Rosie is a newly published romance author struggling to write her next book, the crushing weight of her fears and lies causing a major case of writer’s block. Lucas, Rosie’s best friend’s cousin and someone she has very much stalked on Instagram, is running from the truth by escaping to places and people where he has not had to face it. As chance would have it, they are both in need of Lina’s studio apartment and decide to share it. While getting to know each other, an idea strikes “experimental” dates to help Rosie with her block. It will all be fine if no one falls in love, right?
There is not a single thing I can find at fault in The American Roommate Experiment. I adored every single second of reading this book. I loved that I was able to relate to not only the female main character but also the male main character.
I fell in love with Rosie from the very first awkward moment she created for herself, and my love for her only grew. I related entirely to her feelings of always having to be the one who takes care of others, of always trying to be the one who is calm and in control, as well as her fear of failure with her writing. When I was not laughing at how embarrassing she made a situation or wholeheartedly agreeing with her cheeky thoughts, then my heart was aching for her and her need to just be honest with all of her feelings and longings. My heart broke for Rosie on more than one occasion, but her doubt that Lucas did not want to be anything more than a roommate hurt a lot.
Lucas continually held my heart, and I was completely jealous of Rosie more often than not. Lucas’s outrageous flirting made me laugh every time Rosie blushed, but Lucas was perfect in every sense; he was sugar and spice, messy and cute, noble and sinful, and yet still completely human. Lucas broke my heart with the pain and fear he was feeling and keeping entirely to himself. I felt for him. I loved that he wanted Rosie but thought he could not possibly be enough for her, and the growth he had to do to be what he thought she needed was beautiful if not completely necessary because she loved him as he was.
Although I have not read The Spanish Love Deception yet, I loved Lina. Only the best kind of friends threaten bodily harm to any man or woman that will or has hurt their best friends and go above and beyond to help mend their broken heart—all with Aaron’s help, of course.
To be completely honest, I knew I was going to enjoy this book the moment I saw the author’s dedication: “To those waiting on love, be patient. Love is a total drama queen, It’s just waiting to make an entrance.” As the book carried on, the more I fell for the characters and the more I fell in love with the way Elena Armas writes. I could feel a lot of the author’s feelings in the words she wrote; I think that added to how I connected to the characters because they felt so real, and the acknowledgements confirmed that.
I will always be a big fan of a slow-burn romance, but this book brought some heat that had me blushing and taking a moment to just breathe before I carried on. Thank you, Elena Armas, for the masquerade ball and the spicy moments that followed. If I could rate this book more than Five out of Five Stars, I absolutely would. The only reason it took me so long to read it was that I was too sick to read; otherwise, this book would have been devoured in three days tops and my sleep pattern would have been ruined. I have already ordered Elena Armas’s debut book, and I cannot wait for all the books the author will release in the future.
I came across this book purely by accident in the supermarket; the cover looked familiar from Bookstagram, and after skimming the blurb and writing style, I was sold. I wish The Spanish Love Deception was there, as no doubt I would have picked that up at the same time. This waiting patiently for the postman business is not for me.
Elena Armas had me laughing, my heart melting, and my cheeks burning in The American Roommate Experiment. I’d recommend this book to anyone who loves a slow-burn romance and grand gestures because this book has everything a good rom-com has in spades. Kissing and dancing in the rain, an airport run, character growth, the breaking of two hearts, and the most perfect of Happily Ever Afters. If you are like me and are a complete sucker for faultless epilogues, pick this book up!
Favourite Quotes
““Is this a strong enough spark for you?” His gaze dipped down to my lips, where I was smeared with tomato sauce. I watched his throat bob. “Because I can try harder. For you, I will.””
page 200
“Something in my ribcage shifted. “Your bar is so low, Rosie. It drives me insane.””
page 206
“Because he’d talked as if I were his.”
page 266
“It wasn’t always about the sparks and the fireworks. Not exclusively. It could be also be about the peace it brought. The comfort.”
page 308
““Estoy a tus pies. A tus pies, preciosa.””
page 328
“Life wasn’t as simple as following your heart and hoping for the best.”
page 386
Finer Details
Title: The American Roommate Experiment
Author: Elena Armas
Pages: 406
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Publication: 2022
Language: English
Rating: 5/5