A review by midnightrose_reads
The American Roommate Experiment by Elena Armas

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The American Roommate Experiment is the follow-up to The Spanish Love Deception, and follows Rosie Graham (who is the best friend of Lina the first books heroine), and Lucas Martin Lina’s cousin. After a unfortunate mishap involving her apartments ceiling, Rosie moves into Lina’s apartment while her own is getting repaired. Meanwhile, Lucas is preparing to move into said apartment while he’s visiting New York City from Spain while Lina is on her honeymoon. Rosie doesn’t know that however leading to a hilarious first meeting. They then agree to share the apartment. As they become friends Rosie tell Lucas about her secret, she’s a romance writer. But she’s been struggling with writers block on her sequel to her unexpectedly hit first novel. She’s on deadline and is having a hard time getting started.  Lucas then suggests that they go on a series of experimental dates to help her find her romantic muse again. What follows is a funny, swoon worthy and at times emotional story that had me tearing up quite a few times.

Elena Armas has written another winner! The Spanish Love Deception was one of my favorite romances the year it came out, and this one is no exception. Rosie is a loving and loyal person who at times struggles to see her self-worth in regards to her romantic relationships. And Lucas is someone who after having sustained an injury surfing is struggling to reconcile who he is now after that accident with who he was before it. Also, how adorable was Lucas’s dog, Taco?!?!?   I will read every book that Elena writes! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Sexual content

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail

The American Roommate Experiment is the follow-up standalone to The Spanish Love Deception. It follows Rosie Graham (Lina the heroine from the first book’s best friend), and Lina’s cousin, Lucas Martin. After a mishap involving her apartments ceiling, Rosie moves into Lina’s apartment while her own is getting repaired. She doesn’t know that Lina told her cousin Lucas that he could stay in her apartment while she is on her honeymoon. After a hilarious first meeting Rosie and Lucas work out an agreement to share the apartment. As they become friends Rosie tells Lucas of her secret of being a romance writer. She had quit her well paying job as a engineering consultant at her old company, to peruse this writing passion of hers. She has already written and gotten her first novel published, which was an unexpected hit. Now she’s on deadline for book number 2 and is having writers block. Lucas then suggests they go on some experimental dates to re-spark her romantic muse. What follows is a hilarious, heartfelt and at times emotional journey between two people who have baggage but find themselves falling for each other. This is another absolute winner from Elena Armas. The Spanish Love Deception was one of my favorite books the year it came out, and this book is no exception. Rosie is fiercely loving and loyal who is struggling to see her own worth when it comes to romantic relationships. Lucas is still haunted by an accident that happened while he was surfing that left him injured, and questioning who he is anymore. The fact that Rosie had been following Lucas’s Instagram account since Aaron and Lina’s wedding and had developed a crush on him was so cute. You’ll be equal parts cheering and swooning at their scenes together (and Lucas’s adorable dog Taco!) I teared up at quite a few scenes. Of course Lina and Aaron appear in a few scenes (Lina is SO hilarious!), and they were well placed, so as to not take the spotlight off the two main characters. I will be reading every book Elena Armas writes!