Sarina Bowen’s new m/m roommate romance is now live!
Amazon | Apple | Kobo | Google | Nook | Audible
Blurb
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 the broody lumberjack. He may want more from me than another fresh-baked 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
“It’s not so terrifying to show people who you really are.”
4.5 stars!
This is such a gorgeous read! A fun, sweet and sexy m/m friends-to-lovers romance with a whole lot of heart and a natural, chemistry-filled love story.
This book is a spin-off from the True North series, with some character crossover. Kieran Shipley is a cousin to the Shipley family from the True North series, and while I loved seeing the original clan again, this can easily be read as a standalone
Kieran is struggling to find his place in the world. Torn between his duties to his family’s dairy farm, and his desire to branch out on his own, he does his best to make everybody happy. He never says no, and he is running himself ragged working two jobs in addition to helping out his family – and those family dynamics are challenging to manage.
Roderick has pretty much hit rock bottom. He’s just left his cheating long-term boyfriend in Nashville and has returned to his home town in Vermont, where his parents promptly dismiss him. He’s homeless, jobless, and desperate to find some stability and start rebuilding his life when he wanders into the coffee shop owned by Audrey and Zara (and where Kieran works part time), and gets a job as their full-time baker.
The twist to this story comes when we learn that Kieran and Roderick were in high school together, and after a chance encounter, Roderick is the one person who knows the secret that Kieran has been living with since he was a teenager, but has never fully accepted.
This is the extent of my sex life – admiring men, and then feeling confused about it.
Roderick is self-declared “gay AF”, and though Kieran wants nothing to do with his new colleague, he ends up renting him a room in his new place. It’s a little awkward to begin with, but Roderick soon encourages Kieran to open up, and that’s when things get really interesting.
“I wanted the distance so I could figure it all out.”
“Your sexuality,” he guesses.
“That,” I agree. “And my career, too. I need a better graphic-design job, and some more coursework. I don’t want to hear Dad’s opinions all the time. Not about that, and not about…”
“Steamy-hot man-loving?” Roderick offers, and I almost choke on my sandwich. “Sorry,” he says with a grin. “I was born with no filter.”
The chemistry between Kieran and Roderick is fiery from the very beginning, and it’s so much fun watching them banter back and forth. The mix of Kieran’s serious and quiet nature with Roderick’s boldness and lack of filter is just perfection, and the two of them have a wonderful dynamic which sizzles with sexual tension.
When he turns to me, I realize I’m staring at him like a creeper. His eyes light up with amusement. “Need something?”
“No,” I say too quickly.
He gives me a comical frown. “Bummer. Because there are other things I could teach you besides cooking. Just saying.”
The development of the love story is realistic and natural, and I loved watching Roderick encourage Kieran to be his true self. Not that he really needs a lot of pushing, because when given the opportunity to feel safe and secure with somebody, Kieran doesn’t hold back, and I loved seeing his journey to figure it all out. And Roderick is there by his side through it all.
I’m done trying to fight all the things I feel for this man. I may end up ruining our friendship. I may even get my heart broken.
But some people are worth the risk, aren’t they? I have a feeling in my bones that Kieran Shipley is one of them.
But while they are finding their way forward together, family drama is unfolding. There are demons in the past that need to be dealt with, and secrets to be revealed, and it’s a beautifully written, emotional ride as we watch them deal with it all.
“It’s not so terrifying to show people who you really are.”
I loved these characters so much. They are both so real, so lovable, and completely perfect in their own ways. Kieran may be the strong and silent type, but he has this irresistible vulnerability that made me just want to hug him. And Roderick stole my heart with his wit, his humour, and his courage to keep going even though he’s been through hell. These two boys deserve so much happiness, and I love that they found it with each other.
Having Roderick in my life is like having a fire in the hearth. He warms me even when I can’t see him.
This is such a beautiful love story. Fun, sweet and sexy with just the right amount of drama and emotion. I laughed and I ached, and I got completely swept up in Kieran and Roderick’s story, falling in mad love with both of the boys, and cherishing the time spent with the extended Shipley family.
I loved it – 4.5 stars!
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Check out more great reads at our Sarina Bowen Author Spotlight