Ultra Meital Reviews: Roommate by Sarina Bowen

This book is one of those I feel like writing "A MUST READ" and being done with it. Honestly there is very little to add to that. It has anything I love in a book. Two endearing and wonderful characters, each battling with his own demons, finding solace in one another (even if it takes time to actually admit what they are hiding / dealing with or the fact they are friends..). A heart felt story of coming of age and finding yourself in your own world and naturally love. The best kind. The one we all wish for ourselves.

While this is a standalone novel, it has quite a bit of a connection to Sarina's "True North" series. Both guys work at the "Busy Bean" owned by Zara Rossi Beringer and Audrey Kidder Shipley (having each her own story). Kieran being a Shipley has been mentioned in the books as being a great guy who keeps to himself. That being said I truly think this COULD be read as a stand alone and if you haven't read "True North" while I DO recommend it, the characters are older and more mature than Kieran and Roderick. No matter where you're coming from my message is clear - READ THIS BOOK.

As I've mentioned there is very little I actually knew about Kieran Shipley before this installment. 24 years old. Works HARD both at the "Busy Bean" as well as at an advertising agency, trying to find a future for himself. He has his reasons for leaving the family business of raising cows to his older brother Kyle. The atmosphere in his family couldn't be more uncomfortable. his parents not really getting a long, especially when he and Kyle are concerned, his father's disapproval of him and his brother trying to get a way from his duties by dumping them on him. He couldn't wait for Zara's tenant to leave so he could take the place for himself. It's bigger than he needs but he can look for a roommate to split the rent. The drive to both his jobs would be for shorter - and longer to his family's house the perfect excuse for keeping away - meaning he FINALLY gets to be free of the pressure.

Roderick Waites used to live in the small town of Colebury but he left 8 years ago when the situation with his parents truly exploded. He has no reasons to believe anything has changed but sadly he doesn't have a lot of choice after his ex threw him out and cancelled his credit cards. The little money he has won't last long. It doesn't take more than a few minutes for him to realize his parents hasn't changed as neither did he. It seems he'll be staying in his car after all and with the temperatures getting lower and lower his future is going to be miserable. He does get a break when he finds the "Busy Bean" is looking for a full time baker - exactly his expertise! He needs the job and the hours if only he can convince Zara and Audrey to put their trust in him.

Kieran realizes who the new guy applying for a job is the same guy who caught him watching something he shouldn't have. He simply couldn't look away.. Too bad Roderick recognizes him at first glance. He couldn't be more embarrassed. Mistaking Kieran's face as one of disapproval he works even harder for the bosses to take him seriously but it isn't easy when he is dead tired all the time with very little food in his stomach.

Kieran might be very uncomfortable with Roderick being around and reminding him there is yet another secret he is keeping from the world but once he realizes Roderick's situation he can't ignore it. He offers him to more in with him. Roderick is embarrassed but he is also grateful. Sharing a house together, working the shifts at the "Busy Bean" they actually become friends and when things start to change between them Roderick finds himself in a very familiar place, one he JUST ran away from - being the "dirty little secret" which was a big part of why he left Brian (his ex).

From Roderick perspective, Kieran is a bit on an enigma "I never met anyone like you. I have zero filter, and you're made of filter".

He doesn't understand Kieran's reasoning for keeping his life so secretive and closed: "If I tell my truths, then it could make other people tell theirs. And some of that stuff is ugly. I really don't need to hear everyone else's secrets. It's better this way".

Like it or not all those truths are about to be revealed.

I've said FAR more than I should have. But I couldn't resist once I started.. Maybe I should have stopped at "A MUST READ". That's really the bottom line. This book was a true joy to read and I couldn't be more happy it was the first to start this year.

I kindly received this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book will be out SOON - January 12th - Pre-Order it through the links below.